allegation

Vanity Fair was the first to report the allegation.

Timothy Parlatore, Hegseth’s lawyer, added to Vanity Fair: “This allegation was already investigated by the Monterey police department and they found no evidence for it.”

The allegation is that Braverman altered the time, in order to give the impression that the prime minister had acted more urgently and more decisively.

"I would have loved to go to a top of the mountain with a microphone and shout from the hilltops but because of the seriousness of the allegation I went to my lawyer and I took their advice," he said.

Mr Jones said he could not comment on matters relating to staff, but "any allegation" brought to the board's attention would be dealt with in accordance with its policies.