London: Britain's leadership contest was blown open on Saturday by reports that police were called to a "row" between frontrunner Boris Johnson and his partner, hours before campaigning was to begin to win over grassroots Conservatives.

The Guardian reported that officers were alerted early on Friday after a neighbour said there had been a loud altercation involving screams, shouts and bangs at the south London property, shortly after Johnson had secured his place in the final run-off to become prime minister. The paper said late Friday Johnson's partner Carrie Symonds could be heard telling the former London mayor to "get off me" and "get out of my flat". London's Metropolitan Police said it responded to a call from a local resident but that "all occupants of the address... were all safe and well". Johnson is the runaway favourite to beat Jeremy Hunt, but will face questions over the incident on Saturday when he and Hunt kick a month-long nationwide tour to win over the grassroots Conservatives, who have the final say.