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Boris Johnson's previously unpublished 'pro-EU' column revealed | Boris Johnson's previously unpublished 'pro-EU' column revealed |
(35 minutes later) | |
Boris Johnson said the UK remaining in the EU would be a "boon for the world and for Europe", a previously unpublished newspaper column reveals. | Boris Johnson said the UK remaining in the EU would be a "boon for the world and for Europe", a previously unpublished newspaper column reveals. |
He wrote the column in February, along with a pro-Brexit article that was later published in the Telegraph. | He wrote the column in February, along with a pro-Brexit article that was later published in the Telegraph. |
Mr Johnson subsequently became a leading figure in the campaign to leave the European Union. | |
The Sunday Times has published the pro-Remain column, which it says Mr Johnson wrote to clarify his thoughts. | The Sunday Times has published the pro-Remain column, which it says Mr Johnson wrote to clarify his thoughts. |
In it he warned that Brexit could lead to an economic shock, Scottish independence and Russian aggression. | In it he warned that Brexit could lead to an economic shock, Scottish independence and Russian aggression. |
The foreign secretary had previously admitted to writing the piece but its contents had not been known. | The foreign secretary had previously admitted to writing the piece but its contents had not been known. |
The Sunday Times says he first wrote an article arguing the case to leave the EU, then wrote the remain piece "as a way of clarifying his thoughts", before composing a final article backing Brexit for publication. | The Sunday Times says he first wrote an article arguing the case to leave the EU, then wrote the remain piece "as a way of clarifying his thoughts", before composing a final article backing Brexit for publication. |
'Economic shock' | 'Economic shock' |
Mr Johnson this week insisted the UK can get a trade deal that is "of greater value" to the economy than access to the EU single market, which he described as an "increasingly useless" concept. | Mr Johnson this week insisted the UK can get a trade deal that is "of greater value" to the economy than access to the EU single market, which he described as an "increasingly useless" concept. |
But in the pro-EU article, revealed in a new book by Sunday Times political editor Tim Shipman, All Out War, he supported membership of the free trade zone. | But in the pro-EU article, revealed in a new book by Sunday Times political editor Tim Shipman, All Out War, he supported membership of the free trade zone. |
"This is a market on our doorstep, ready for further exploitation by British firms," Mr Johnson wrote. | "This is a market on our doorstep, ready for further exploitation by British firms," Mr Johnson wrote. |
"The membership fee seems rather small for all that access. | "The membership fee seems rather small for all that access. |
"Why are we so determined to turn our back on it?" | "Why are we so determined to turn our back on it?" |
Mr Johnson also warned that Brexit would cause an "economic shock" and could lead to the "break up" of the UK. | Mr Johnson also warned that Brexit would cause an "economic shock" and could lead to the "break up" of the UK. |
He wrote: "There are some big questions that the "out" side need to answer. | He wrote: "There are some big questions that the "out" side need to answer. |
"Almost everyone expects there to be some sort of economic shock as a result of a Brexit. | "Almost everyone expects there to be some sort of economic shock as a result of a Brexit. |
"How big would it be? I am sure that the doomsters are exaggerating the fallout - but are they completely wrong? And how can we know?" | "How big would it be? I am sure that the doomsters are exaggerating the fallout - but are they completely wrong? And how can we know?" |
Since the vote to leave the EU the pound has fallen to its lowest since the 1980s, losing around 18% of its value against the US dollar, while Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has put in place plans for a second independence referendum if the UK leaves the single market. | Since the vote to leave the EU the pound has fallen to its lowest since the 1980s, losing around 18% of its value against the US dollar, while Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has put in place plans for a second independence referendum if the UK leaves the single market. |
Mr Shipman said Mr Johnson's column contradicted positions he had adopted since joining the cabinet following Theresa May's appointment as prime minister. | Mr Shipman said Mr Johnson's column contradicted positions he had adopted since joining the cabinet following Theresa May's appointment as prime minister. |
But he said it also "dispels the myth that Johnson's case for remain was better than his argument to leave". | But he said it also "dispels the myth that Johnson's case for remain was better than his argument to leave". |
"In fact the article was dashed off quickly and seems to be an attempt by Johnson to convince himself the case for staying in was weak," Mr Shipman added. | "In fact the article was dashed off quickly and seems to be an attempt by Johnson to convince himself the case for staying in was weak," Mr Shipman added. |