An American businesswoman claims prime minister Boris Johnson treated her like a one-night stand after their controversial relationship was revealed, writes James Toney.

Jennifer Arcuri's links to Mr Johnson, who is defending the marginal Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency in the upcoming General Election, were revealed earlier this year.

It was alleged she received favourable treatment for her business ventures during Mr Johnson's two terms as mayor of London.

Ms Arcuri claims she contacted the prime minister when the story broke but he 'hung up' on her.

In an interview with ITV's Exposure she said: "I've been nothing but loyal, faithful, supportive, and a true confidante of yours. I've kept your secrets, and I've been your friend.

"And I don't understand why you've blocked me and ignored me as if I was some fleeting one-night stand or some girl that you picked up at a bar because I wasn't - and you know that.

"And I'm terribly heartbroken by the way that you have cast me aside like I am some gremlin.

"When I expressed the interest to want to speak to him, I was told there are bigger things at stake and I was brushed off. I felt so disgusted and humiliated that I was told bigger things are at stake, never mind you, he's too busy for you."

Mr Johnson claims he acted in 'complete propriety' during his dealings with Ms Arcuri, who was reportedly given £126,000 in public money and attended three foreign trade missions led by Mr Johnson while he was in City Hall.

Last month an investigation into their relationship was paused following a request by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

However, a Government review ruled a six-figure grant she was given by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport was 'appropriate'.

Ms Arcuri added: "When the story broke half the people that reached out told me to categorically deny, deny, deny the other half told me to, admit the, er, affair, fall on the sword get it over with."

The ITV programme alleged the pair were involved in an affair for more than four years, though Ms Arcuri refused to be drawn on nature of the relationship.

But asked if Mr Johnson was in love with her, she said: "If he was in love with me he should have come and got me."

In response, a Conservative Party spokesman said: "Any claims of impropriety in office are untrue and unfounded. We consider these are vexatious and politically motivated attacks from the Labour Party in City Hall.

"Previous vexatious and unfounded allegations against the Prime Minister have been thrown out by the courts. An independent review by the Government Internal Audit Agency showed the claims made by the Labour Party about Ms Arcuri's company were false.

"Given that City Hall has made an unfounded complaint to the IOPC, we will not be making detailed comments until that process has finished. Full assistance has been offered to the IOPC so the matter can be quickly resolved."

Mr Johnson is defending a 5,000 majority in west London, with Labour rival Ali Milani, a former president of the Brunel students' union, working hard to appeal to the youth vote.

No British prime minister has ever lost their seat at a General Election.