UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced political opposition and personal allegations on Monday as he tried to fulfil his pledge to lead Britain out of the EU in just over a month.

As he tried to energise Conservative members and lawmakers at the party’s annual conference, Johnson was forced to deny a journalist’s claim that he had grabbed her thigh at a private lunch two decades ago.

Sunday Times columnist Charlotte Edwardes says the incident took place when she worked at The Spectator, a conservative newsmagazine, while Johnson was its editor.

Asked on Monday if the allegation was true, Johnson said: “No”.

Edwardes stood by her story, tweeting: “If the Prime Minister doesn’t recollect the incident then clearly I have a better memory than he does.”

Johnson also is under scrutiny for claims that an American businesswoman, Jennifer Arcuri, received money and perks from London coffers while Johnson was mayor of the British capital.

He also denies wrongdoing over Arcuri, who was given grants and places on overseas trade trips for her small tech start-up, saying everything was done “with full propriety”.

The case has been referred to Britain’s police watchdog, which will decide whether to investigate Johnson for misconduct in a public office.

Johnson has vowed that Britain will leave the EU on the scheduled date of October 31, with or without a divorce deal governing future relations with the bloc.

His foes in Parliament are determined to avoid a no-deal exit, which economists say would plunge Britain into recession.