Jennifer Arcuri has refused to deny she had an affair with prime minister Boris Johnson when he was mayor of London.
Speaking to Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain, Arcuri "categorically" rejected any impropriety, following the suggestion that Johnson intervened to secure her public funds because of their personal relationship.
The tech entrepreneur and former model was reportedly given £126,000 in public money and privileged access to three foreign trade missions led by Johnson while he was in City Hall. Johnson denies any wrongdoing.
When asked if she had an intimate relationship with Johnson, Arcuri said:
I am really not going to answer that question.
I am being used as a pawn. This entire thing is a crazy charade.
Boris had nothing to do with my achievements.
She then described Johnson as a “good friend” and said she had been “objectified” by news reports of their relationship.
Naturally, given Arcuri’s, shall we say, colourful way with words, the interview launched hundreds of memes and jokes.
Here’s a selection of the funniest Arcuri-related tweets:
Jennifer Arcuri - one of those people you dread sitting next to on a plane. You ask one simple question. They ke… https://t.co/GZkkX9kImA— Richard Gaisford (@Richard Gaisford) 1570429990
Ten points to anyone who can explain how the answer "No, I didn't have an affair with Boris" could be weaponised against him— Michael Deacon (@Michael Deacon) 1570430593
Arcuri says Boris Johnson came to her events because she produces 'very good, sexy' events— Anna Mikhailova (@Anna Mikhailova) 1570431164
If you're given the opportunity to deny having sex with Boris Johnson and you don't immediately make gagging noises… https://t.co/yeigk78dzX— James Felton (@James Felton) 1570432506
@janinegibson Are we 100% certain she isn’t the same woman who wrote that ‘it’s so hard being this pretty’ piece fo… https://t.co/nRKfSYVxWx— ebw (@ebw) 1570430173
The question GMB should have asked Jennifer Arcuri is how much she'd charged GMB for the interview— Adam Parsons (@Adam Parsons) 1570436064