Showing posts with label Boris Johnson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Boris Johnson. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Boris Johnson Has 'Dented' the Conservative Party | Dominic Grieve

Jan 30, 2024 | "I feel that time is probably up." The Conservative Party will "lose very badly at the next election" after delivering an "extraordinarily bad government" with "charlatan" Boris Johnson says Dominic Grieve.


BoJo was/is a clown and a buffoon. He has caused this nation untold damage. Dominic Grieve is one of the few decent Conservatives left. – © Mark Alexander

Saturday, January 20, 2024

Boris Johnson Says Trump Back in White House Is ‘What the World Needs’

GUARDIAN EUROPE: Ex-PM backs disgraced former US president ahead of election, saying he ‘won’t ditch the Ukrainians’
Boris Johnson with Donald Trump at a Nato summit in 2019. Photograph: Peter Nicholls/AFP/Getty Images

Boris Johnson has backed Donald Trump ahead of November’s US presidential election, saying his return to the White House could be “just what the world needs”.

In his weekly Daily Mail column, the former prime minister argued that if Trump backs Ukraine in its war against Russia, his renewed leadership “can be a big win for the world”.

However, Trump has repeatedly cast doubt on continued US support for Kyiv if he is re-elected, while boasting about his relationship with Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Trump, who has also repeatedly been openly critical of Nato, previously claimed that he could end Russia’s war on Ukraine in 24 hours. » | Tom Ambrose and agency | Friday, January 19, 2024

Once a clown, always a clown! – © Mark Alexander

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

The Russian Partygate

Dec 11, 2023 | Why did Boris Johnson meet an “ex” Russian spy?

The British government has just announced that Russian spies have been targeting British MPs, peers, civil servants, journalists, and others with cyber-hacking since 2015 as part of a concerted attempt to meddle in British politics.

The new Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, said last week that Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) was behind “unsuccessful attempts to interfere in UK political processes” and that Russia’s ambassador to London had been summoned. …


Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Sunak 'Thought It Was OK to Just Let People Die', Covid Inquiry Hears | ITV News

Nov 20, 2023 | Rishi Sunak "thought it was OK to just let people die" instead of imposing an economy-crippling second lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic, the UK Covid-19 inquiry has heard. It was also suggested the then-chancellor did not consult scientists on his controversial Eat Out to Help scheme despite the risks being "obvious" to anyone involved. Private diaries - written as a "brain dump" by the government's former chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance as a way to protect his mental health - have shone a light on the now-prime minister's attitude during the pandemic. Number 10 said Mr Sunak was due to give evidence to the inquiry soon and would not comment on anything claimed during Sir Patrick's testimony.


So, Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, otherwise known as ‘BoJo the Clown’, isn’t as erudite and clever as he would have us all believe. None of us should be surprised! From the very start, it was obvious to me, as it surely was to many.

Reading just some of his articles will tell you who and what he is. But… even though I am not surprised by is his economic illiteracy — that was pretty clear to me from day one — his statistical illiteracy does surprise me. His Eton and Oxford education should have done much more for his education and erudition than that! It’s a sad state of affairs not to be able to cope with rudimentary graphs and statistics when in high office, especially when as prime minister one is also, ex officio, First Lord of the Treasury! Dear oh dear!

Further, as for Rishi Sunak’s comment on letting people die, that is graver still. A day or so ago, I asked the question whether Sunak was truly fit to govern us. Now, with this news snippet, I have got my answer! – © Mark Alexander

Saturday, November 11, 2023

Boris Johnson Paid £3,800,000 for Mansion that Has Moat to Keep People Out

METRO: Ex-prime minister Boris Johnson has bought a multi-million mansion despite previously complaining about ‘only’ earning £160,000.

It’s been reported Mr Johnson even negotiated £200,000 off the asking price, buying the nine-bedroom home for a cool £3.8 million.

This is despite complaining that as both prime minister and an MP he couldn’t get by on a combined salary of £164,080.

The country house, Brightwell Manor, had been on the market for four years, The Mirror reports, and the sale is said to have gone through just weeks before BBC chairman Richard Sharp resigned over his role in helping Mr Johnson secure an £800,000 loan.

The manor, located in the Oxfordshire countryside, dates back to the 1600s and has Tudor and Georgian features.

However the house is still surrounded on three sides by a 900-year-old moat, which dates back to when a castle originally stood on the site, built by King Stephen. » | Katie Boyden | Sunday, May 14, 2023

WIKIPEDIA: Stephen, King of England »

Friday, October 27, 2023

Boris Johnson to Join GB News as Presenter

THE GUARDIAN: Former prime minister likely to receive a high six-figure sum for role at channel, which already features Jacob Rees-Mogg and Lee Anderson

Boris Johnson says he will share his ‘unvarnished views’ on international politics and the future of the UK. Photograph: Carla Carniel/Reuters

Boris Johnson is taking a paid job as a presenter for GB News, joining Jacob Rees-Mogg and Nigel Farage on the controversial rightwing channel.

The former prime minister was announced as a presenter on Friday. GB News said he would play a key role in the channel’s coverage of the UK general election and the US elections next year.

His salary was not disclosed, but he is likely to receive a six-figure sum. Rees-Mogg is paid £350,000 a year and the Tory deputy chair, Lee Anderson, gets £100,000 a year from the channel.

GB News is jointly owned by hedge fund manager Sir Paul Marshall and Legatum, a Dubai-based investment firm co-founded by GB News chair Alan McCormick. Marshall is said to be putting together a bid to buy the Daily Telegraph, a former employer of Johnson. » | Rowena Mason, Whitehall editor | Friday, October 27, 2023

It’s a sad day when GB News is quoted »

Monday, September 18, 2023

Boris Johnson: Officials Discussed Raising Concerns about Former PM to Queen

Boris Johnson held private meetings with the Queen while he was prime minister | PA MEDIA

BBC: Senior government officials spoke to Buckingham Palace at the height of the pandemic to express their concern about Boris Johnson's conduct in office, the BBC has been told.

Officials even discussed suggesting to the Queen she raise the concerns with Mr Johnson during private audiences.

The revelation comes in episode two of the BBC documentary series, Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos.

It explores the turmoil in Westminster and Whitehall over four years.

Based on interviews with key players at the top of government, the series covers the period between 2016 and the departure of Liz Truss as prime minister in 2022. » | Laura Kuenssberg, Presenter, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg | Monday, September 18, 2023

Sunday, August 06, 2023

Boris, the Lord & the Russian Spy | Dispatches | Channel 4 Documentaries

Aug 2, 2023 | The full story of Boris Johnson's friendship with press baron Evgeny Lebedev and his dad Alexander, an ex-KGB spy, revealing the secret fears of security services.

Monday, July 24, 2023

Former Boris Johnson Aide Joins Lords as Youngest Ever Life Peer

THE GUARDIAN: Charlotte Owen, 30, has faced criticism over lack of experience after being nominated by former PM


Charlotte Owen, a former aide to Boris Johnson, has taken her seat as the youngest ever life peer in the House of Lords, despite criticism over her lack of professional experience. The 30-year-old became Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge after being formally introduced to the upper chamber on Monday afternoon.

Johnson nominated seven of his close allies to the Lords as part of his controversial resignation honours list, of which Owen was one of the last to take her seat.

Three of those nominated were in their 30s, including Ross Kempsell, a 31-year-old former journalist, and Ben Houchen, the 36-year-old Tees Valley mayor. » | Kiran Stacey, Political correspondent | Monday, July 24, 2023

What a joke! What a sick joke! The Tories have turned politics in this country into a farce – a sick farce!

One can only wonder why such a young, inexperienced lady has been made a baroness.

This sort of thing only demeans the honours list altogether. I suppose that the market-friendly Tories will surely get the idea to start flogging life peerages in supermarkets soon as a part of their privatization programme.

One can but shake one’s head! – © Mark Alexander


Charlotte Owen, Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge.

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Carrie and Boris Johnson Announce Birth of Baby Boy Named Frank

THE GUARDIAN: Wife of ex-PM posts pic on Instagram of Frank Alfred Odysseus Johnson saying ‘can you guess which name my husband chose?’

Frank is the third child for Carrie and Boris Johnson. Photograph: Kirsty O’Connor/PA

Carrie and Boris Johnson have announced the birth of their third child, a second son.

In the caption of an Instagram post with a picture of her holding the newborn, Carrie Johnson joked: “Welcome to the world Frank Alfred Odysseus Johnson born 5th July at 9.15am. (Can you guess which name my husband chose?!)”

The former prime minister Boris Johnson is keen to be thought of as a scholar of the classics. In Greek mythology, Odysseus leaves behind his wife and child to seek adventure, encountering many other women along the way. » | Kevin Rawlinson | Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Thursday, June 29, 2023

Boris Johnson, l’espion russe et le lord de Sibérie

LE MONDE : L’ancien premier ministre britannique se voit reprocher d’avoir nommé à la Chambre des lords Evgeny Lebedev, le fils d’un oligarque ex-agent du KGB, contre l’avis des services de renseignement, convaincus de l’existence de liens entre la famille Lebedev et le Kremlin.

Capture vidéo de l’homme d’affaires russo-britannique Evgeny Lebedev, lors de sa nomination à la Chambre des lords, à Londres, le 17 décembre 2020. PARLIAMENTARY RECORDING UNIT (PRU) / AFP

Un documentaire de la chaîne de télévision britannique Channel 4, diffusé mardi 28 juin, relance la polémique sur la nomination par Boris Johnson, peu après être devenu premier ministre, d’Evgeny Lebedev à la Chambre des lords. Ce dernier, fils de l’ex-agent du KGB Alexander Lebedev, un contemporain de Vladimir Poutine devenu un richissime homme d’affaires après la chute de l’URSS, a fait son entrée à la chambre haute du Parlement britannique en novembre 2020, avec un titre aussi pompeux qu’étonnant : baron Lebedev of Hampton and Siberia. La Chambre des lords n’a pas les pouvoirs de la Chambre des communes mais y siéger (on en est membre à vie) donne accès au cœur du pouvoir britannique et confère un épais vernis de respectabilité. » | Par Cécile Ducourtieux (Londres, correspondante) | jeudi 29 juin 2023

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Mark Alexanders Kommentar: BoJo

BoJo hat Vieles schief gemacht. Aber das, daß am Schiefsten ist, ist Brexit. Unser Ausgang aus der Europäischen Union hätte er nie zustande bringen sollen. Insofern als er das gemacht hat, hat er Mist gebaut. Mist höchsten Grades!

Eigentlich wäre ich imstande ihm sehr viele Fehler vergeben zu können; aber dieses Land aus der Europäischen Union herauszubringen ist wirklich unverzeihlich. Ganz und gar! Mit diesem einzigen Schritt, hat BoJo die Wirtschaft von Großbritannien kaputt gemacht und die Privilegien der Briten als Bürger der Europäischen Union weggestohlen zugleich, nur um ihm die Schlüssel zu ‚Number 10‘ zu geben. Und was für ein Desaster seine Zeit ‚in Number 10‘ war!

Alle Rechte vorbehalten
© Mark Alexander

The Guardian View on a PM’s Patronage: Boris Johnson’s Shameful Honours List

THE GUARDIAN – EDITORIAL: Reforming the House of Lords should begin by constraining a departing leader’s power to dish out lifetime awards to friends and cronies

‘Voters care about honesty and integrity in politics. Mr Johnson does not.’ Photograph: Reuters

When handing out lifetime honours, Boris Johnson’s guiding principle has been brazen cronyism and snubbing established convention. But the most recent revelations, on the eve of MPs debating the privileges committee report into Mr Johnson’s deceit over Partygate, are jaw-dropping. On Sunday, a video emerged of Conservative staffers enjoying a 2020 Christmas “jingle and mingle” jamboree that patently broke lockdown rules. Mr Johnson must have known about this event. Yet at least two of those at the party were on his resignation honours list. » | Editorial | Monday, June 19, 2023

How much longer do we have to put up with this boring old fart? Fat, in-your-face and frightfully boring. It is high time that the Conservative Party considered this man as a liability to the Party. He must surely by now be considered as Conservative Party jetsam. For heaven's sake: Move on! This man is sullying the reputation of the once proud Conservative Party. – © Mark Alexander

'Partygate': Boris Johnson Misled Parliament, Report Finds | DW News

Jun 19, 2023 | Lawmakers in Britain have approved an official report that found former prime minister Boris Johnson deliberately misled parliament about parties held during the COVID-19 lockdown. Johnson gave up his seat when the findings were announced.


Britische Abgeordnete stimmen für Parlamentsverbot für Ex-Premier Johnson: Am Montag billigten die Mitglieder des britischen Unterhauses den Ausschuss-Bericht zum «Partygate»-Skandal des Ex-Premiers. »

Tories Round on Boris Johnson as MPs Vote to Approve Partygate Report

THE GUARDIAN: MPs endorse privileges committee report censuring former PM by 354 votes to seven

Conservative infighting over Boris Johnson misleading the House of Commons about Partygate reached bitter new heights on Monday night, with his supporters being told to hang their heads in shame.

Johnson faces being blocked from obtaining special access to parliament after being rounded on by furious Tory MPs in an attempt to “restore faith” in democracy.

An overwhelming majority backed the privileges committee’s conclusion that Johnson committed five contempts of parliament, including misleading the Commons and the cross-party group investigating him. Only seven MPs voted against the report, dwarfed by the 354 who voted for it.

Rishi Sunak was absent for the debate along with other senior Cabinet ministers, and was accused by Labour MPs of having “run away”. Downing Street said he was busy meeting the Swedish prime minister before being due to attend a dinner in the evening. » | Aubrey Allegretti, Senior political correspondent | Monday, June 19, 2023

Shaun Bailey under pressure to decline peerage after Partygate video: Video appears to show Tory workers dancing at mid-lockdown ‘jingle and mingle’ event during Bailey’s London mayoral bid »

Abgeordnete schließen Boris Johnson aus Parlament aus: Die britischen Abgeordneten haben über den früheren Premierminister geurteilt – und ihn aus ihrer Mitte verbannt. Nur sieben Tories hielten ihm noch die Treue. »

« Partygate » : les députés valident largement l’accablant rapport contre Boris Johnson : L’ancien premier ministre, forcé de quitter Downing Street à l’été 2022 à la suite d’une série de scandales, se retrouve privé de son badge d’accès aux locaux du Parlement. Avec 354 voix pour, et seulement 7 contre, le rapport a été largement approuvé par la Chambre des communes, qui compte au total 650 élus. »