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Boris Johnson announces split from wife Marina Wheeler

Boris Johnson and his wife Marina Wheeler have announced that they have separated (PA Images)
Boris Johnson and his wife Marina Wheeler have announced that they have separated (PA Images)

Boris Johnson has announced he is splitting from his wife Marina Wheeler after a 25-year marriage plagued by accusations of infidelity.

The former foreign secretary confirmed that the pair separated several months ago and are going through the process of a divorce.

Mr Johnson admitted to having an affair with Petronella Wyatt in 2008, and to fathering a child with Helen Macintyre in 2012.

The announcement confirmed a report on the front page of today’s Sun newspaper, which said that the politician and his lawyer wife, both 54, were living separate lives.

The newspaper claimed that Wheeler had accused her husband of cheating on her again.

Boris Johnson and his wife Marina Wheeler have announced in a joint statement that they separated some time ago (Isabel Infantes/PA Wire)
Boris Johnson and his wife Marina Wheeler have announced in a joint statement that they separated some time ago (Isabel Infantes/PA Wire)

“Several months ago, after 25 years of marriage, we decided it was in our best interests to separate,” the statement read.

“We have subsequently agreed to divorce and that process is under way.

“As friends we will continue to support our four children in the years ahead. We will not be commenting further”.

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Commentators are speculating that the news may have an adverse affect on Mr Johnson’s aspirations to be the next leader of the Conservative Party.

A poll yesterday by Tory grassroots website ConservativeHome found that Mr Johnson is surging ahead as the favourite among party members to lead the Tories after Theresa May.

35% of members picked the former foreign secretary as their favourite to take the helm of the party next.

This marks an extension in Mr Johnson’s lead at the top of the table in the past four weeks. Last month 29% of those polled said he should be the next to head the party.