Boris Johnson and girlfriend Carrie Symonds pictured together after ‘blazing row’ as pals say they’re ‘very much in love and want to marry’

Despite reports that their relationship could be on the rocks, the snaps appear to show the pair getting on very well.

The pictures show the couple leaning into each other as they have a private chat.

But since the emergence of the snaps many have speculated that they were staged to show a united front and save Boris' bid for No10.

Despite this a friend of the couple said the pair, who have a 24-year age gap between them, are still "very much in love".

The pal also played down Friday's late night argument which saw the police called to their home.

They said the Tory leadership hopeful, 55, wanted to marry his girlfriend "as soon as the time is right" and his divorce from Marina goes through.

"There has been so much nonsense touted around about their relationship," they said.

"The truth is that they love each other very much and want to get married as soon as the time is right.

"Boris only has eyes for Carrie and she is totally smitten with him. The age gap is irrelevant. It just works.

"Any suggestion otherwise is just people causing trouble".

And Nimco Ali, an FGM campaigner and friend of Carrie's, told the Evening Standard: "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."

She added: "They are happy and good for each other."

Carrie, 31, has labelled the row  a "stitch up" and has felt unable to return to her Camberwell home after neighbours taped their conversation and leaked it to The Guardian.

The truth is that they love each other very much and want to get married as soon as the time is right

Friend of Boris and Carrie

The couple are staying at a secret address and may not return to the flat at all for the rest of the leadership race.

Protesters have appeared outside Carrie's home with anti-Boris signs too.

Boris has refused several times to answer questions about what happened last week when quizzed about it at a Tory hustings event on Saturday.

The Sun revealed today how the couple have had four rows in six weeks - and nearly split up.

But the pair have vowed to stay together and make it work.

A pal said: “This was by no means the first explosive row they’ve had."

But another friend added: "The fact Carrie is now so intrinsically linked to Boris means that she will not walk away quickly.

"They will both fight to keep this relationship."

Another friend said: "They’re in a very loving and stable relationship. They totally dote on one another.

"They’ve spent the weekend together after being driven out of their home in Camberwell and actually the events of the last few days have made them stronger than ever.

"But they really shouldn’t have to put up with this nonsense."

Tory MP Nadine Dorries said this morning: "I've spoken to Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds, I am totally stunned at the level of harassment they have had to endure.

"Hate mail, left wing protest outside their flat, eavesdroppers.

"The stress is immense, more than most could endure.

And Jacob Rees-Mogg told LBC earlier that the "Corbynista snoopers are not attractive" as he condemned the neighbours who recorded them as "dreadful".

This morning Boris-backer Priti Patel insisted Boris has "never talked about his private life and he never will."