Carrie joins Camilla for event on violence against women

The Duchess of Cornwall kisses Carrie Johnson, wife of Prime Minister Boris Johnson as they attend a Violence Against Women and Girls event at the Kigali Convention Centre at a Violence Against Women and Girls event showcasing the work of the Commonwealth Secretariat's partnership with the NO MORE Foundation, at the Kigali Convention Centre, as part of the royal visit to Rwanda. Picture date: Thursday June 23, 2022.
Carrie Johnson was spotted with the duchess of Cornwall on Thursday afternoon at an event on violence against women and girls. (PA) (PA)

Boris Johnson's wife Carrie Johnson has attended an event with the Duchess of Cornwall in Rwanda in the week allegations emerged that the PM attempted to get her a top job with the Royal Family.

Mrs Johnson travelled with the prime minister to Rwanda for a Commonwealth heads of government meeting on Thursday. The Prince of Wales and Camilla are also visiting the country for the summit.

Read more: Boris Johnson branded ‘manifestly corrupt’ for trying to secure wife Carrie top government job

On Thursday afternoon Mrs Johnson was spotted with Camilla at a Violence Against Women and Girls event in the Kigali Convention Centre.

A number of reports have emerged in the past week alleging attempts by the prime minister to get his wife various jobs in government.

On Monday, it was alleged the prime minister had discussed with aides giving Mrs Johnson a communications director role for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2020.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie Johnson arrive in Kigali, Rwanda ahead of the Commonwealth heads of government meeting. Picture date: Thursday June 23, 2022.
The prime minister and his wife Carrie Johnson arrived in Rwanda on Thursday for a Commonwealth heads of government meeting. (PA) (PA)
KIGALI, RWANDA - JUNE 23: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Carrie Johnson, wife of Prime Minister Boris Johnson (R) attend a Violence Against Women and Girls event at the Kigali Convention Centre on June 23, 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda. Prince Charles, Prince of Wales has attended five of the 24 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting meetings held since 1971: Edinburgh in 1997, Uganda in 2007, Sri Lanka in 2013 (representing The Queen), Malta in 2015 and the UK in 2018. It was during the UK CHOGM that it was formally announced that The Prince would succeed The Queen as Head of the Commonwealth. Leaders of Commonwealth countries meet every two years for the meeting which is hosted by a different member country on a rotating basis. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Boris Johnson faced allegations this week that he had attempted to get Carrie Johnson top jobs at the heart of government and the Royal Family. (PA) (Chris Jackson via Getty Images)

Number 10 failed to these deny allegations, originally published by The Mirror, and instead insisted Mr Johnson had not officially recommended her for the position working for Prince William and Kate.

Among other jobs she was reportedly considered for was a £100,000-a-year special adviser role at the foreign office when Mr Johnson was foreign secretary.

The claims emerged in The Times on Saturday, before the article was removed from later print editions with Number 10 admitting they contacted the paper about the story.

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Mrs Johnson has denied the allegations. “These claims are totally untrue,” her spokesperson said on Monday.

However Downing Street has refused to comment directly on the situation, with the PM's spokesperson telling reporters: "As a function of my role, I don’t comment on what the prime minister did before he was prime minister.

KIGALI, RWANDA - JUNE 23: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Carrie Johnson, wife of Prime Minister Boris Johnson speak as they attend a Violence Against Women and Girls event at the Kigali Convention Centre on June 23, 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda. Prince Charles, Prince of Wales has attended five of the 24 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting meetings held since 1971: Edinburgh in 1997, Uganda in 2007, Sri Lanka in 2013 (representing The Queen), Malta in 2015 and the UK in 2018. It was during the UK CHOGM that it was formally announced that The Prince would succeed The Queen as Head of the Commonwealth. Leaders of Commonwealth countries meet every two years for the meeting which is hosted by a different member country on a rotating basis. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
The Commonwealth heads of government meeting ends this weekend. (Getty Images) (Chris Jackson via Getty Images)
The Prince of Wales arrives to attend a Commonwealth Business Forum Exhibition at Kigali Cultural Exhibition Village, as part of his visit to Rwanda. Picture date: Thursday June 23, 2022.
Prince Charles has reportedly described the government's new Rwanda asylum scheme as "appalling". (PA) (PA)

It comes during what is set to be an awkward trip in Rwanda after Prince Charles reportedly called the government's new and controversial Rwanda asylum seeker scheme "appalling".

When asked about the remarks, the prime minister said he intended to urge the future king to keep an "open mind".

The scheme in question involves deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda if they do not arrive to the UK via government approved routes. Once in Rwanda, their asylum claim will be processed under Rwandan law.

Read more: 3 reasons the next few days are so dangerous for Boris Johnson

If successful, refugees will be offered asylum there and will not be given the option to return to the UK.

“People need to keep an open mind about the policy, the critics need to keep an open mind about the policy," said Johnson in Rwanda on Thursday.

“A lot of people can see its obvious merits. So yeah, of course, if I am seeing the prince tomorrow, I am going to be making that point.”

Watch:PM to stress 'obvious merits' of asylum policy to Charles

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