The latest scandal involving the Tories over Boris Johnson's notorious resignation honours list is yet another reminder of the influence of his wife Carrie Johnson.
Ms Johnson is a long-standing friend of Ben Mallet, the Conservative aide filmed in a video of a Christmas Party at Tory HQ that broke Covid lockdown rules.
She posted photographs of herself with Mr Mallet on social media in 2016, before she was an item with Mr Johnson.
Ms Johnson is thought to have met Mr Mallet through a shared connection with multimillionaire ex-Tory minister Lord Goldsmith, who was given a peerage by fellow Old Etonian Mr Johnson in 2019, and who has defended him strongly in the recent Partygate row.
According to a biography of Ms Johnson published last year, the former prime minister was "too cowardly" to stand up to his wife when she tried to secure a top Tory job for Mr Mallet.
In the book, written by ex-Tory treasurer Lord Ashcroft, it was claimed Ms Johnson tried to give Mr Mallet a senior post in his 2019 Conservative leadership campaign, prompting a revolt by Mr Johnson's staff.
Lord Ashcroft wrote: "Carrie began to insist on a prominent role in the campaign for a friend of hers, Ben Mallet - even, one source claims, to be the campaign chief of staff."
The book quoted a source close to Mr Johnson saying: "One day, Ben Mallett walked in and announced he was now the campaign's chief of staff. We told him politely that this was rubbish.
"Boris said it was fine because he was too cowardly to confront Carrie about it. When some people threatened to quit if Ben Mallet really did become the chief of staff, Boris said, 'Can't you just call him the chief of staff?'
"He was told in no uncertain terms that this would not happen."
Lord Ashcroft suggested Ms Johnson was "the reason Mr Johnson squandered the chance to be a great prime minister".
The Independent revealed last week her close connection to ex-Tory Minister Nigel Adams, who resigned as an MP when his peerage nomination by Mr Johnson was blocked.
She posted a photograph of herself with her arm around Mr Adams at Cheltenham Racecourse before Mr Johnson entered Downing Street. Mr Adams was also seen comforting her on the steps of No 10 when Mr Johnson was forced to resign.
Separately, Mr Adams is reportedly linked to novice Downing Street aide Charlotte Owen, 29, who was controversially awarded a peerage by Mr Johnson.
Mrs Johnson is also close friends with ex-Tory aide Ross Kempsell, 31, a tennis partner of Mr Johnson. Former radio talk show host Mr Kempsell, employed as Mr Johnson's official spokesman, was another surprise recipient of a peerage in the resignation honours list.
Cabinet minister Michael Gove today apologised for the video of Mr Mallet and other Tories flouting Covid curbs at the Christmas party in 2020.
Failed Tory candidate for London mayor Shaun Bailey, who was awarded a peerage by Mr Johnson last week, was at the party but left before the video was taken. Mr Mallet, who has been awarded an OBE by Mr Johnson, was his mayoral campaign chief.
Mr Bailey has previously apologised for the event.
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