BORIS Johnson and his girlfriend Carrie Symonds have been pictured for the first time since police were called to an incident at her flat.
The couple have been pictured sitting in a wild garden in Sussex appearing relaxed and happy.
It comes after neighbours said they heard "plates smashing" and Ms Symonds allegedly shouting "get off me, get out" at the home they share in London on Friday.
The former foreign secretary has faced three days of questions over his private life over the alleged row but had declined to comment on the nature of the argument.
There has been speculation on social media that the photograph may have been staged.
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Writer Michael Moran said on Twitter: "In the Sussex countryside. Where someone has thoughtfully left a complete set of garden furniture.
"Uncredited photos, suggesting that no pap agency was involved. Completely spontaneous & not staged at all."
Nimco Ali, the prominent anti-FGM campaigner who is a friend of Ms Symonds, told the Evening Standard that she expects the couple to marry.
She said: “Boris and Carrie are very loved up. They don’t deserve this from creepy neighbours. People in love row once in a while. So what, they are human. If anything I think this whole thing has brought them even closer together.”
“They are happy and good for each other.
“Carrie is an amazing woman. Kind, decent and genuinely wants to make the world a better place.”
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Mr Johnson and his wife Marina Wheeler announced they were divorcing in September last year after a 25-year marriage.
This morning Boris-backer Priti Patel insisted Boris has "never talked about his private life and he never will."
Allies of Mr Johnson, who remains the frontrunner to become the next Prime Minister, have stepped up their criticism of Ms Symonds' neighbours for recording part of the argument and sharing it with the Guardian newspaper, suggesting their actions were "politically motivated".
Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the European Research Group of Brexiteers, described the couple as "Corbynista curtain twitchers".
The couple have insisted they were motivated solely by concerns for the welfare of Ms Symonds after reportedly hearing raised voices and plates and glasses being smashed.
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