Who will confirm what Boris Johnson said about BBC coverage of the Ukraine war?
What did he say? If evidence emerges that Boris Johnson did attack BBC coverage of the Ukraine war, and then deliberately lied about it in the House of Commons, it will be clear proof that he deliberately misled Parliament and he’ll have to resign – especially after pointing out that there are rules to prevent such dishonesty, only minutes later.
Has Boris Johnson just dug another hole for himself?
In Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday (April 20), Keir Starmer demanded an apology from Johnson for alleged claims made in a private meeting with Conservative MPs on Tuesday (April 19), when he was trying to build support after being fined for attending an illegal lockdown-busting Downing Street party.
Starmer reckoned Johnson attacked the BBC’s coverage of the war in Ukraine. He said:
The Prime Minister … accused the BBC of not being critical enough of Putin. Would the Prime Minister have the guts to say that to the faces of Clive Myrie, Lyse Doucet and Steve Rosenberg, who have all risked their lives day in, day out on the frontline in Russia and Ukraine uncovering Putin’s barbarism?
Here’s Johnson’s response:
I said nothing of the kind. I have the highest admiration, as a journalist and a former journalist, for what journalists do. I think they do an outstanding job. I think he should withdraw what he just said, because it has absolutely no basis or foundation in truth.
But what did he say?
Anyone who can show that Johnson did, in fact, attack the BBC and its journalists in Ukraine will be able to show that Johnson has definitely and deliberately misled Parliament – very possibly not for the first time.
It has been suggested that Johnson is a compulsive liar who simply says whatever he thinks will get him out of trouble at any particular time, and then conveniently forgets his words – but that will not help him if, say, a recording of what he said in that private meeting comes to light (and This Writer understands that Tory MPs have been known to make recordings of these meetings).
Alternatively, it would be extremely helpful if anybody can prove that Johnson didn’t say what Starmer alleged.
It is the fact that the words were spoken in a private meeting, allowing Johnson to hide behind secrecy, that is damning him now.
Have YOU donated to my crowdfunding appeal, raising funds to fight false libel claims by TV celebrities who should know better? These court cases cost a lot of money so every penny will help ensure that wealth doesn’t beat justice.
Vox Political needs your help!
If you want to support this site
(but don’t want to give your money to advertisers)
you can make a one-off donation here:
Here are four ways to be sure you’re among the first to know what’s going on.
1) Register with us by clicking on ‘Subscribe’ (in the left margin). You can then receive notifications of every new article that is posted here.
2) Follow VP on Twitter @VoxPolitical
3) Like the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VoxPolitical/
Join the Vox Political Facebook page.
4) You could even make Vox Political your homepage at http://voxpoliticalonline.com
And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!
If you have appreciated this article, don’t forget to share it using the buttons at the bottom of this page. Politics is about everybody – so let’s try to get everybody involved!
Buy Vox Political books so we can continue
fighting for the facts.
The Livingstone Presumption is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
Health Warning: Government! is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
The first collection, Strong Words and Hard Times,
is still available in either print or eBook format here:
