Curtains and courtiers: The troubles facing Boris Johnson 13 minutes to read By: George Parker The Conservatives are well ahead in polls. But a feud with a former aide raises questions about the UK prime minister's character. It is not the first time Boris Johnson has been accused of lying. Britain's prime minister was once sacked as a Times journalist for making up a quote and dismissed as a Conservative opposition spokesman for failing to tell the truth to his party leader about an extramarital affair. Now, installed in Number 10 Downing Street, Johnson's familiarity with the truth has taken on far greater significance.