Johnson: Relieved of duties

Tory arts spokesman Boris Johnson has been sacked after allegedly misleading the media and his party over the nature of his relationship with journalist Petronella Wyatt.

Michael Howard relieved Johnson of his duties following fresh newspaper allegations about his alleged affair.

Johnson, who also edits the Spectator magazine, last week dismissed the claims as "piffle".

However when Wyatt's mother, the wife of the late Thatcherite Tory peer Lord Wyatt, appeared to confirm the News of the World's version of events Howard decided Johnson's position was untenable.

Lady Wyatt said her daughter, who was deputy editor of the Spectator, broke off the relationship.

"Petronella could see that it was going no where, that there was no future in the relationship," she said.

Sacking

That statement led the party leadership to sack Johnson both as arts spokesman and as Tory vice chairman .

"Michael Howard has relieved Boris Johnson of his responsibilities as shadow minister for the arts and vice-chairman of the Conservative Party," said a short statement from Central Office.

Johnson said it had been "a bad day" for himself and his family.

"I am very sorry this decision has been taken in response to tabloid stories about my private life," he said.

"I am very much looking forward to continuing to promote the policies we have developed on the arts and will do my utmost to serve my constituents in Henley."

Senior Tories

On Sunday morning senior Tories toured the TV studios eager to back their leader's position.

Shadow family secretary Theresa May backed Howard's decision, insisting it was not a moral judgment on Johnson's private life.

She told GMTV's Sunday Programme: "I think what is clear is that this isn't about Boris's private life."

"I think this is about that fact that it would appear that he denied the stories which now subsequently appear to be true.

"I think in that circumstance Michael felt he could no longer be on the front bench. I think that was the right decision.

Ancram

Deputy leader Michael Ancram said Johnson had been forced out for being "less than frank".

"It was not about his private life and I think it is right that we don't necessarily intrude into people's private lives," he told Breakfast with Frost.

"It was about something more central than that. Michael Howard for a long time has been talking about the need to restore people's trust in the honesty and integrity of politics.

"Where Boris was less than frank, that was what could not be sustained.

"In the end Michael, when he realised Boris had not been frank with him, had to let him go."

Ancram stressed his party leader wanted to deal with the "very genuine public concern about the honesty and integrity" of politicians.

"We have to make sure people understand that the Conservative Party means what it says, it is telling the truth, it is not making promises it can't deliver on," he said.

"If we are doing that we have to make sure we deal with ourselves in the same way where there is less than total frankness."

Soames

Meanwhile shadow defence secretary Nicholas Soames praised his "great personal friend" and insisted Johnson's political career was not over.

Soames declined to endorse the decision to sack him, saying that it was a matter for the Tory leader.

"I'm very, very sad and sorry for Boris. It is a very bad moment," he told Sky's Sunday with Adam Boulton.

"But don't let's forget this is one of the most brilliant and amusing and interesting men of his generation.

"All I can say is Boris's political days are certainly not over. He has got a wonderful constituency. He is a very, very good member of parliament.

"His constituents are fond of him and respect him very much - as indeed do a very much wider circle in the country.

"I'm very sorry that Boris is to go but he will dust himself down and crack on, I'm sure."

Asked whether he should have been sacked, Soames added: "That is not matter for me. That is a matter for the leader of my party."