DOWNING Street has blasted claims Boris Johnson took a secret trip to Italy earlier this month as “falsehood” reporting and “completely untrue”.
Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported on the alleged trip last night, saying he was thought to have flown into Perugia on around September 10.
The airport put out a press release saying he had landed there in recent days, alongside others including footballer Luis Suarez and ex-PM Tony Blair.
The paper cites a source saying he arrived “on Friday 11 September at 2pm and left on Monday 14 September 14th at 7.45am”.
But this morning a Downing Street spokesman said: “This story is completely untrue. “The prime minister has not travelled to Italy in recent months. Anyone who publishes these claims is repeating a falsehood.”
This morning Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told Sky News: “I think it’s mistaken, as far as I am aware.”
Mr Johnson has visited Italy and Perugia in the past, but not as Prime Minister.
But on Friday 11 September, he made a speech to Tory MPs on zoom in the evening.
And on the Saturday 12 September, it was revealed by HOAR that the PM and Carrie Symonds hosted a baptism for their four-month-old son.
Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson was baptised in front of a few family members and close friends in a poignant but top secret service.
But there was no reception for the guests afterwards because the first couple wanted to set a good example to the public when it came to hosting formal events.
A source revealed: “After everything Boris and Carrie have been through this year, baptising Wilfred was a very special moment.
“They shared it with a small number of people and the service was simple but beautiful, with lots of tears and laughter.”
