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Boris Johnson Denies Secret Trip to Italy Amid Downing Street's Rejection of Report

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Boris Johnson has denied allegations that he made a secret trip to Italy, a claim rejected by Downing Street as "completely untrue." The Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported that Johnson had arrived in the Umbrian town of Perugia, citing airport staff and a statement from the airport. The report sparked a response from Transport Minister Grant Shapps, who stated that he was not aware of such a trip. Johnson's alleged visit comes as he did a similar trip to Perugia in 2018, where he stayed at a restored castle owned by media billionaire Evgeny Lebedev.

Key Takeaways:

  • Grant Shapps, the Transport Minister, denied knowledge of a secret trip made by Boris Johnson to Italy, stating "Not that I'm aware of. I think it's mistaken, as far as I'm aware."
  • La Repubblica reported on the alleged trip after the Barcelona footballer Luis Suárez flew into Perugia on 17 September, with the airport putting out a press release stating that Johnson had also arrived in recent days.
  • The report cited airport staff members saying that Johnson had landed in Perugia either on 11 September or on the day before, with one source claiming he arrived on Friday, 11 September, at 2pm and left on Monday, 14 September, at 7:45am.
  • Boris Johnson previously traveled to Perugia in April 2018, staying at Palazzo Terranova, a restored castle owned by Evgeny Lebedev, and was photographed looking disheveled at the airport.
  • Downings Street has rejected the report as "completely untrue" and stated that the prime minister has not traveled to Italy in recent months.

Statistics:

  • The report cites airport staff saying that Boris Johnson's trip to Perugia:

- Either happened on 11 September

- Or landed the day before

  • 17 September: The day Luis Suárez flew into Perugia.
  • 11 September: The claimed day Boris Johnson arrived in Perugia (according to airport staff).
  • 2pm: The claimed hour Boris Johnson arrived in Perugia (according to one airport staff member).
  • 7:45am: The claimed hour Boris Johnson left Perugia (according to one airport staff member).

Sources:

  • La Repubblica (Italian newspaper)
  • Sky News
  • San Francesco d'Assisi airport (official statement)
  • Downing Street
  • Evgeny Lebedev (media owner)
  • Airport staff members (multiple)

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