Johnson sacked from Tory front bench

Boris Johnson was axed as shadow arts minister and Tory party vice-chairman tonight following fresh allegations about his private life, a spokesman for party leader Michael Howard said.

Mr Howard sacked him over the phone this afternoon after learning that Sunday newspapers were carrying new stories about him, the spokesman said.

“In view of the fresh allegations made against Boris Johnson in tonight’s newspapers Michael Howard has relieved Boris Johnson of his responsibilities as shadow minister for the arts and vice-chairman of the Conservative Party,” he said.