Boris Johnson’s camp is split over whether he should pose on the steps of Downing Street with girlfriend Carrie Symonds if he wins Tory leadership fight

• Boris’ camp is split over whether Carrie should pose on steps on Downing Street 
• Some believe Symonds should stay in background if he becomes PM next week
• It is believed Carrie, who is 23 years the junior of Johnson, was asked to stay out of the limelight following their row last month

Boris Johnson’s leadership campaign is split over whether he should pose on the steps of Downing Street with girlfriend Carrie Symonds next week if, as expected, he becomes Prime Minister.

Most of Mr Johnson’s advisers, including Sir Edward Lister, tipped to be his chief of staff, believe Miss Symonds should stay in the background. 

But allies of Miss Symonds, the former Conservative Party director of communications, are pushing for her to share the limelight at the traditional photo call outside No 10. The dispute is the latest controversy over Miss Symonds’ role alongside 

Boris Johnson’s leadership campaign is split over whether he should pose on the steps of Downing Street with girlfriend Carrie Symonds next week if, as expected, he becomes Prime Minister. Pictured: how the pair may look on the steps of No 10 next week

Mr Johnson, who is still married to his second wife Marina, mother of four of his children. She is said to have attempted to secure key posts on his campaign team for her own network of Tory activists.

Following Mr Johnson’s domestic row with Miss Symonds last month, which was tape recorded by neighbours, it is believed she was asked – and agreed – to stay away from the leadership hustings to avoid causing a ‘distraction.’

 Miss Symonds is expected to wed twice married Mr Johnson when his divorce comes through. Until that happens, some Conservatives worry that an unmarried couple in No 10 could cause protocol problems. Mr Johnson’s leadership campaign have had secret talks on the subject.

Sir Edward, who is in charge of Mr Johnson’s Downing St ‘transition team’, has reportedly argued Miss Symonds should remain in the background in the early stages of a Johnson Premiership.

Most of Mr Johnson’s advisers, including Sir Edward Lister, tipped to be his chief of staff, believe Miss Symonds should stay in the background. Pictured together in 2012

Allies of Miss Symonds, the former Conservative Party director of communications, are pushing for her to share the limelight at the traditional photo call outside No 10

A source said: ‘We are struggling with this. We do not want to offend Carrie but Boris’s first day must be about him. Some say it would be inappropriate for her to be on the steps holding his arm. She should be introduced gradually.’

But Mr Johnson’s allies acknowledge that asking her to enter Downing St via the back door is not risk free. ‘Someone is certain to get a photo of her going in and then it will look underhand and demeaning,’ said a Tory MP supporter.

A spokesman for Mr Johnson said: ‘We have not discussed this.’

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