Fears Boris Johnson ‘too drunk to remember’ meeting with ex-Russian spy

A Labour MP has raised concerns that Boris Johnson was "too drunk" to remember a meeting with a former Russian spy at the height of the Salisbury poisoning crisis.

The prime minister admitted to MPs on Wednesday that he “certainly” met the former Evening Standard proprietor and ex-KGB officer Alexander Lebedev without officials or any security present when he was foreign secretary.

MPs and peers raised fresh questions on Thursday about his disclosure of the meeting and demanded to see more information.

Speaking in the House of Commons, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said Johnson's meeting with Lebedev raised concerns about "lack of integrity" and a "complete disregard for national security" and accused government officials of covering up for him

She said: "Did the foreign office, the home office and the security service know about this meeting in advance?

"Was a detailed record made after the event of the meeting?

"Because there are rumours that the foreign secretary was too drunk to properly remember. Is that true?

"There are also rumours that Alexander Lebedev was trying to arrange a phone call from the meeting with the Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, is that true? Did that phone call happen?"

Cooper went on to outline that records showed Johnson accepted hospitality for himself and a guest, but that he arrived home alone.

"Who was that guest? Did that put him in a compromising position?" she asked.

Cooper demanded details of additional meetings, pointing out Labour had been asking for confirmation as to whether they took place "for months".

Johnson had faced accusations he had covered up details of the meeting, after the register of members’ interests recorded that he had an “overnight stay” with Evgeny Lebedev on 28 April - 55 days after the poisonings.

It later transpired Alexander Lebedev was also present.

Foreign Office minister Vicky Ford said that after meeting Mr Lebedev in 2018, Johnson reported it to officials “as required”.

Minutes later, Ms Ford said: “I have just been passed a note that apparently the Prime Minister says that he thinks he mentioned this meeting to officials.”

Labour foreign affairs spokesman Lord Collins of Highbury said he recognised Mr Johnson planned to write to the Liaison Committee about the issue, but called for Simon Case to become involved.

He told the Lords: “I think we need more than that letter.

“We need a thorough investigation held by the Cabinet Secretary. We need to know the truth.”

The latest developments come amid an investigation by the Commons Intelligence and Security Committee over the appointment of Lebedev’s son, Evgeny Lebedev, to the House of Lords.

The appointment has been shrouded in controversy after The Sunday Times alleged security services withdrew an assessment that granting the peerage posed a national security risk after the Prime Minister intervened.