Boris Johnson has branded suggestions he may have taken part in further rule-breaking during the pandemic as a "load of absolute nonsense".

Last week new claims that the former prime minister breached lockdown laws – including gatherings at both Downing Street and Chequers – were passed to police.

Allies of Mr Johnson quickly labelled the allegations a political "smear" – but three sources familiar with the events on Thursday told The Telegraph that as many as 17 different entries in Boris Johnson’s diary were flagged as potential Covid lockdown breaches by government lawyers.

Asked by Sky News at Dulles Airport in Washington whether he broke the law, Mr Johnson said: "No... The answer is as I said before there was absolutely no rule-breaking. 

"Those who want to make allegations should make allegations, but so far nobody has.

He added: "You want my honest view? I think this whole thing is completely nonsensical... This whole thing is a load of absolute nonsense. I think it was absurd that it was decided to pass entries in my diary to the police."