Comic tells of physical contact on Question Time

Shappi Khorsandi has become the latest woman to claim Boris Johnson touched her inappropriately.

The Prime Minister has rejected claims by journalist Charlotte Edwardes that he squeezed her thigh under a table when he was Spectator editor at a lunch 20 years ago.

The reporter also claimed that another woman had told her: 'He did exactly the same to me.’

Khorsandi came out in support of Edwardes on Twitter last night, posting that Johnson touched her hand under a desk when she appeared alongside him on the BBC's Question Time in 2006.

She wrote: ‘I feel duty bound to say that on QT years back (before the recording started) BJ squeezed my hand, which rested on my leg, under the table to "reassure’ my nerves".

‘Only mentioning it as I’ve found it bloody annoying that some are saying @chedwardes made it up. 2 other men have done it since (one a leftie, inappropriate squeezing is not just a Tory thing) I was older/more confident and complained. Now shush about "lying".’

After her comments spread across social media, attracting comments both in support and critical of her statement, the comic said she didn’t want to get drawn further into the issue,

She posted: ‘I supported the person I wanted to support and said all I needed to say. Not remotely arsed about explaining myself further. I’d rather not have had to get involved but there we are.’

Groping claims have overshadowed the Tory Party conference, with the Prime Minister already fending off reports of an affair with businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri while he was mayor of London.

Chortle has approached the Conservative Party for comment on Khorsandi's allegation.

- by Jay Richardson

Published: 1 Oct 2019