Boris Johnson finally admits meeting ex-KGB agent on secret trip to Italy

The Prime Minister was quizzed on the 2018 meeting when he appeared before the Commons Liaison Committee as his post as Prime Minister stood 'one thread

The Prime Minister appeared before the Commons Liaison Committee (

Image: PA)

Boris Johnson today admitted meeting a former Russian spy without officials or his security team when he was Foreign Secretary.

The prime minister has finally confirmed that he visited billionaire Alexander Lebedev, who was an officer of the Soviet Union's first KGB directorate general, at his son Evgeny's luxurious Italian holiday home some time ago. three years.

The meeting took place on April 28, 2018 when Mr Johnson was the UK's chief envoy and responsible for representing Britain abroad.

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He was also responsible for the Secret Intelligence Service, MI6, and the government's listening agency, GCHQ.

As foreign minister, he had 24-hour armed bodyguards as part of his close protection team.

Former KGB agent Alexander Lebedev (

Picture:

BBC)

But Mr Johnson flew to the converted castle of Evegeny Lebedev near Perugia without his security guards or any officials.

He then handed the Russian, owner of the London newspaper Evening Standard, a Conservative peerage.

Asked at the Commons Liaison Committee about his meeting with Alexander Lebvedev, the Prime Minister said: 'I have certainly met the gentleman in question, who owned the London Evening Standard when I was Mayor of London.< /p>

"I certainly won't deny that I met Alexander Lebedev, I certainly did."