Putin propagandists have rounded in on Boris Johnson after he mocked the Russian leader’s topless photos and ‘toxic masculinity’. In one particularly savage takedown, a Kremlin journalist branded the prime minister ‘chubby’, made a dig about partygate and claimed he was ‘jealous of Putin’s good shape’. The war of words kicked off earlier this week when the PM made a joke at his Russian counterpart’s expense , telling a G7 summit: ‘Shall we take our clothes off? We have to show we’re tougher than Putin.’ Canada’s Justin Trudeau then cited the dictator’s infamous photos of him riding a horse topless, saying, ‘We’re going to get the bare-chested horseback riding display’, before Mr Johnson quipped: ‘We’ve got to show them our pecs.’ The UK prime minister further angered Putin’s cheerleaders when he claimed the invasion of Ukraine would not have happened if the war criminal was a woman. Mr Johnson said: ‘If Putin was a woman, which he obviously isn’t, but if he were, I really … [Read more...] about Russian state TV claims ‘chubby Boris Johnson is jealous of Putin’s good shape’
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Exclusive: Harriet Harman set to lead inquiry into claims Boris Johnson misled Parliament
A former acting leader of the Labour Party is set to become the chairman of the committee that will decide if Boris Johnson intentionally misled Parliament over partygate . Harriet Harman, who is also the longest-serving female MP , is the most likely candidate to lead an inquiry by Parliament’s Privileges Committee that could suspend the Prime Minister from the Commons. The Telegraph understands her name has been provisionally agreed by Labour as a replacement for Chris Bryant, who has recused himself from the investigation into Mr Johnson because he has been too outspoken about partygate already. Ms Harman would then be elected by the MPs on the committee as its new chairman. The investigation could begin within weeks and will decide whether Mr Johnson knowingly misled Parliament when he told MPs that “all guidance was followed in No 10” during the pandemic. Two investigations by the Metropolitan Police and Sue Gray, a senior civil servant, have concluded that the … [Read more...] about Exclusive: Harriet Harman set to lead inquiry into claims Boris Johnson misled Parliament
Tom Tugendhat: I would run to replace Boris Johnson in a leadership contest
Tom Tugendhat has become the first Tory MP to say he would run to replace Boris Johnson in a leadership contest. It comes less than 24 hours after reports that the Prime Minister will receive imminently the report from Sue Gray into alleged breaches of Covid restrictions during ‘partygate’. Mr Tugendhat, a former soldier and the current chair of the foreign affairs select committee, said: "I think I'm making it pretty clear that I think that it's up to all of us to put ourselves forward. “And it's up to the electorate, in the first case parliamentary colleagues, and in the second case the party, to choose." He declined to say whether he had put in a letter of no confidence in Mr Johnson, despite the long-standing dislike between the two men. He admitted in an interview with Times Radio on Saturday: "My job is to hold to account whoever is the foreign secretary and whoever is the prime minister.” He is the first candidate to say openly that he will run if Mr Johnson were … [Read more...] about Tom Tugendhat: I would run to replace Boris Johnson in a leadership contest
Brussels ‘taking advantage’ of Boris Johnson’s leadership woes by refusing Brexit concessions
Brussels is taking advantage of Boris Johnson’s leadership woes by refusing Brexit concessions , sources say. MPs are set to vote on Monday on controversial new laws to give ministers powers to override parts of the post-Brexit deal on Northern Ireland . It is part of an attempt to wrest concessions out of the EU, but Brussels is reluctant to make further offers beyond their October proposals , which they have accused the UK of ignoring in the months since they were put on the table. The UK has demanded EU capitals give negotiator Maros Sefcovic a fresh mandate to make further concessions and effectively rewrite the treaty, which the EU has repeatedly ruled out. 'EU is far more likely to watch on in silence' But the Telegraph understands there is little appetite for major concessions, in part because of Mr Johnson’s shaky grasp on his leadership. "The EU is far more likely to watch on in silence as the UK engages in what Brussels would see as another round of … [Read more...] about Brussels ‘taking advantage’ of Boris Johnson’s leadership woes by refusing Brexit concessions
Boris Johnson told to learn from Margaret Thatcher and ‘stop trying to please everybody’
Boris Johnson needs to learn from Margaret Thatcher and stop trying to please everybody, one of the most prominent “red wall” Tory MPs has said. Lee Anderson, MP for Ashfield, said that he wanted the Prime Minister to "take a side" and back his own convictions, as Mrs Thatcher did when she won three consecutive elections in the late 1970s and the 1980s. "I wish sometimes you wouldn't try and please everybody,” said Mr Anderson of the Prime Minister. “He tries to please too many people. "Sometimes in politics, you have to take a side is as simple as that. You can't sit on the fence." Mr Anderson is a former coal miner who was a Labour councillor until 2018, when he jumped ship and joined the Conservatives. He stood to be the local MP at the following year’s general election. He said: "You've just got to go for it. “Even Maggie, who I disliked with a passion back in the day, you knew where he stood with her. If she went into battle, she wasn't wavering. "I would like to … [Read more...] about Boris Johnson told to learn from Margaret Thatcher and ‘stop trying to please everybody’
Chris Pincher: Boris Johnson ‘was told’ of ‘grope’ MP complaints as calls mount to axe whip
Boris Johnson was made aware of past complaints about a Tory MP - but made him his Deputy Chief Whip anyway, say bombshell reports. Calls are mounting to suspend the whip from Chris Pincher after he resigned his government job last night. Mr Pincher said he had been "drinking too much" and "embarrassing himself and others" - but he remains a Tory MP as of 9am today. Labour branded the PM’s response a “total disgrace” - including an anonymous ally’s briefing that there was “no need for an investigation and no need to suspend the whip”. MPs accused Mr Pincher of “groping” two men in the glitzy Carlton private members’ club on London’s Piccadilly on Wednesday night, The Sun revealed. Now there is pressure on Boris Johnson over the circumstances in which he moved the 52-year-old Tamworth MP to the whips’ office in February. Mr Pincher had previously resigned from the whips’ office in 2017 and referred himself to police after a former Olympic rower accused him of an … [Read more...] about Chris Pincher: Boris Johnson ‘was told’ of ‘grope’ MP complaints as calls mount to axe whip
Boris Johnson rejects calling snap election after fuelling speculation
Boris Johnson has rejected calling a snap election after fuelling speculation he could go to the country early. The prime minister ruled out a fresh poll in an interview recorded before the government became embroiled in fresh controversy when Tory MP Chris Pincher quit as deputy chief whip , a role in which he was responsible for party discipline, on Thursday over accusations he drunkenly groped two men on a night out. That day Mr Johnson had repeatedly failed to dismiss the prospect of an election before the next scheduled date in 2024. Politics latest: Tories 'mired in sleaze and scandal' It followed reports that staff at Conservative Party headquarters had war-gamed the idea of calling a snap ballot if Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is forced to resign as a result of an investigation by Durham Police into alleged breaches of coronavirus rules. Advertisement However, asked in a recorded interview with LBC radio, broadcast on Friday, … [Read more...] about Boris Johnson rejects calling snap election after fuelling speculation
Boris Johnson under mounting pressure over Tory whip who quit over groping claims
Boris Johnson is facing mounting pressure over groping claims against a Conservative whip, as two senior female MPs demand a "zero tolerance" approach to sexual misconduct in the party. Chris Pincher quit his role as deputy chief whip after allegedly groping two men - and the PM is being urged to kick him out of the Tory parliamentary group. Downing Street defended the prime minister's decision to appoint Mr Pincher to the whip role earlier this year despite concerns reportedly expressed at the time, saying it was "not appropriate to stop an appointment on the basis of unsubstantiated allegations". Politics Hub: No 10 responds to report PM knew of groping claims Tory MPs Karen Bradley and Caroline Nokes - the only two Conservative female chairs of backbench select committees - took aim in a joint letter at what they called the "inconsistent and unclear approach" by the party to such incidents. Advertisement In a letter to chief whip Chris … [Read more...] about Boris Johnson under mounting pressure over Tory whip who quit over groping claims
Boris Johnson made foreign secretary by Theresa May
Published 13 July 2016 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing New Prime Minister Theresa May has made Boris Johnson, the former London mayor who led the Brexit campaign, foreign secretary in her new government. He replaces Philip Hammond, who becomes chancellor. Ex-Energy Secretary Amber Rudd is home secretary and Eurosceptic David Davis is the Brexit secretary. Ex-chancellor George Osborne was fired, the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg said. On arriving at Downing Street, Mrs May vowed to lead a government that works for all, not just the "privileged few". New cabinet: Who's in, who's out? May vows to be 'one nation' prime minister Cameron makes farewell speech from Downing Street Who is Theresa May? A profile of the UK's new PM In pictures: The UK gets a new leader The UK's second female prime minister promised to give people who were "just managing" and … [Read more...] about Boris Johnson made foreign secretary by Theresa May
Haka performance in Downing Street as Boris Johnson welcomes New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern
Boris Johnson enjoyed a traditional haka performance in the Downing Street garden when he welcomed his New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern. The prime minister was back at his official London residence after an eight-day series of foreign engagements in Rwanda, Germany and Spain - and facing renewed political pressure over the resignation of deputy chief whip Chris Pincher amid groping allegations. But he had a chance to step away from the domestic turmoil when he met Ms Ardern, telling her it was a "great, great pleasure" to welcome her. Politics Hub: Boris Johnson agrees to withdraw whip from Tory MP after 'drunken groping' claims Mr Johnson looked relaxed as he and his fellow prime minister - who, like him recently attended the NATO summit in Madrid - watched a Maori dance in the No 10 garden. Advertisement The PM smiled and applauded the haka, staged by performers in traditional costumes - and was pictured being given face-to-face greetings … [Read more...] about Haka performance in Downing Street as Boris Johnson welcomes New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern