The revelation comes after days of speculation about the involvement of Mr. Johnson in his wife’s career, after claims that he tried to appoint her to a job of chief of staff of £ 100,000 a year in the Department of Foreign Affairs while he was Secretary of State and Foreign Affairs. their relationship was not. still public.
The statements were briefly published in The Times on Saturday, but were withdrawn from later editions of the newspaper following a 10th speech, which flatly denied that the Prime Minister had ever suggested the appointment.
On Tuesday, the Daily Mirror reported that there had also been talk of Mrs Johnson on Downing Street for a role at the Royal Foundation, but that no approach had ever been taken.
But The Telegraph understands that, in fact, Mr. Case was instructed to contact the charity, which is run by its former chiefs, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
The official is said to have asked the Foundation if Ms. Johnson would be suitable for the position and if she could expect to be paid.
Downing Street on Tuesday night denied that the Prime Minister himself had ordered Mr. He almost approached the charity, but did not argue that he had participated in discussions about it or that Mr. He had almost done it.
A spokesman said: “The Prime Minister has never recommended Mrs Johnson for a government role or as part of the Earthshot Award.”
“No job offered”
A source familiar with the discussions said Mr Case was “tasked with seeing if there was room for further progress”, but received “a calm rebuke over the idea that she was working closely with the royal family “and the idea was” directed to the long grass. “
A second source added: “The prime minister may have suggested it, but he was certainly not offered anything. No job was offered.”
At that time, Ms. Johnson had already entered into talks with the Aspinall Foundation, an animal welfare organization she joined months later, in February 2021, before her marriage in May.
Ms Johnson’s spokeswoman last night denied claims that she had been discussed for the royal job, although there was no suggestion that she formally apply for the role or that she knew her husband’s advisers they had suggested the idea.
“The prime minister was wondering if there was anything he could do, but I don’t think he was aware of anything,” said a third source familiar with the talks.
Point of order in the Commons
Claims about Mr Johnson’s involvement in his wife’s job search have already been discussed in Parliament, with a Liberal Democrat MP raising the original Times story on Monday in a motion to order the Commons.
Lord Geidt, Johnson’s recent ethics adviser, has told The Telegraph that the allegations are “ripe” for the investigation of his successor, who has not yet been appointed.
On Tuesday, Michael Ellis, the government’s general peasant, rejected Labor calls for lawmakers to appoint a new adviser if Downing Street did not elect one in two months.
“We will act swiftly to review existing provisions to support the ministerial code and ensure high ministerial standards,” he said.