Who is Carrie Symonds? Spin doctor who has ‘grown close’ to Boris Johnson

But just weeks ago she quit her role unexpectedly as rumours of a growing friendship with Boris Johnson began to swirl around Westminster.

Party-loving Ms Symonds has been a regular on the Tory nightlife scene for several years and is well liked by MPs and other Tory staffers.

It is believed the 30-year-old’s friendship with Johnson has been growing for some time. It has been reported that Johnson’s long-suffering wife Marina Wheeler – who stood by him after a string of affairs – finally kicked him out after finding a stash of text messages from Ms Symonds.

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Sources close to Ms Wheeler have said she was planning on releasing details of her discovery just before Conservative Party conference later this month in a bid to scupper Johnson’s leadership aspirations.

Instead it appears backers of the prime minister’s Brexit plan – which Johnson vehemently opposes – leaked the rumours first.

Sources said the pair have ‘grown even closer’ since Johnson’s marriage collapsed.

Ms Symonds grew up in East Sheen, London, and attended £20,000-a-year Godolphin and Latymer School. She had previously worked for home secretary Sajid Javid, John Whittingdale and Zac Goldsmith.

A Westminster source said: ‘I’d heard the rumours. But then there are often rumours about Boris and not all of them can be true. Carrie was well-liked in Westminster. A good operator.

‘She liked a party as well. She works hard but is a lot of fun to be around when she lets her hair down. I’m told they have really grown close in recent weeks since the split.’

Ms Symonds has now taken a job with Bloomberg working on promoting cleaner oceans.

Johnson’s spokesman said: ‘Boris never discusses anything to do with his private life.’

Ms Symonds was unavailable for comment.

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