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Boris Johnson says he would rather 'be dead in a ditch' than delay Brexit, in rambling speech – live news Boris Johnson says he would rather 'be dead in a ditch' than delay Brexit, in rambling speech – live news
(32 minutes later)
The Northern Ireland minister, Nick Hurd, has become the latest Tory MP to announce he will not stand at the next general election as he cited the “ongoing division” over Brexit. The Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner MP said:
Fourteen years ago, my intention was to serve in Parliament for as long as my constituents continued to elect me.
However, much has changed since then. Politics is now dominated by the ongoing division over Brexit. More happily, my private life has been changed profoundly by the birth of my two youngest children.
I now feel that it is time for me to make a change and embrace a new challenge. After a very great deal of thought, I have decided not to stand again as a candidate at the next general election.
I shall of course continue to serve as Member of Parliament for Ruislip Northwood and Pinner until such time as a General Election is called. I would like to thank my constituents for giving me the chance to represent them for the past 14 years. 2/2
And this is what some other journalists and commentators are saying about the Johnson speech.
From the Daily Mail’s Jason Groves
Verdict from lobby colleague: 'That was more Boris Yeltsin than Boris Johnson'
From LBC’s Theo Usherwood
This speech from Boris Johnson is seriously strange. It’s like the energy has been sucked out of him.It’s all gone.
From the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg
A very, very bumpy day for the PM - his brother suggests he’s not acting’s in the national interest, heckled on the high street in Morley and a surreal press conference in Wakefield straight after .. all of it on #bbcnewssix now
From the Daily Mirror’s Pippa Crerar
I know it was a terrible speech & the police thing was not a good look, but think about how this looks from outside the bubble. Boris Johnson is prepared to "die in a ditch" and risk his relationship with his own brother to deliver his Brexit promise. That will resonate.
From my colleague Patrick Wintour
Pure Trump. The relevant chief constable/police commissioner will have to explain what possessed them to allow recruits to be used as props in Johnson's campaign to leave the EU. pic.twitter.com/thAUUijWbn
From Politico Europe’s Jack Blanchard
Worth remembering that while SW1 laughs at how weird / terrible that press conference was, most people will still just see the PM stood in front of a load of police officers saying he'd rather "die in a ditch" than delay Brexit
From the Daily Mail’s Peter Oborne
I have just added Boris Johnson's claim at his press conference today that the Tory Party has a zero tolerance policy towards Islamophobia to my bulging dossier of Mr Johnson's lies.
That’s all from me for today.
My colleague Kevin Rawlinson is taking over now.
That was the most extraordinary prime ministerial press conference we’ve seen for years - perhaps not quite as dramatic as Theresa May’s “nothing has changed” meltdown, but certainly more peculiar. Even by Johnson’s standards, it was rambling and shambolic. The only rational explanation I can think for what happened is that it is all part of some ultra-cunning plan to convince Jeremy Corbyn that he can vote for an election because Johnson will be such a hopeless campaigner, but life normally doesn’t work like that. If it looks like a cock-up, it probably is a cock-up.
First, the backdrop was pure Donald Trump. Although ostensibly an event to promote the government’s police recruitment plans, this was obviously a party political event - No 10 described it this morning as day one of the election campaign - and so there was something clearly improper about getting the police to act as extras on set. And if you do want to present yourself as a politician committed to supporting the police, it is best not to force them to stand in the sun for so long (Johnson started about an hour late) that they start dropping like flies.
If you do invite people to listen to a speech and then force them to wait, you should at least prepare something of merit to say. But Johnson wasn’t speaking from a script, and he appeared to have given very little thought to what he wanted to say about policing (beyond a threadbare argument about policing being at the heart of a successful economy). At one point he launched into a very bizarre routine about the police caution; quite what that was all about remains a mystery. Of course, sounding improvised is part of the Johnson schtick - in his Churchill biography he quotes approvingly the FE Smith line that Churchill “spent the best years of his life preparing his impromptu remarks”; Johnson has mastered the same trick himself - but today this did not sound like artful spontaneity. To be honest, it sounded like he had had a glass too many at lunchtime.
On Monday Johnson stood outside Number 10 and said he did not want an election. Today’s message was all about taunting/shaming Corbyn into agreeing one. Even someone as practiced at inconsistency as Johnson would find this hard to pull off, and in the office where I was watching his insincerity seemed obvious - although perhaps outside the “bubble” people may be willing to credit his claim that he doesn’t really want an election at all.
To his credit, Johnson did take a large number of questions. His most interesting line was his assertion that he would rather “die in a ditch” than request an article 50 extension in October, as he might be obliged to by a bill becoming law on Monday. That did not sound literally true either, but at least that was a hyperbole untruth, not a statement of bad faith. Perhaps leave voters, and the wider group of voters who just want the Brexit crisis saga to end, will cheer this message. But whether that compensates for the overall impression of omnishambles is another matter.
Q: Corbyn says he cannot trust you to have an election before the EU summit in October?Q: Corbyn says he cannot trust you to have an election before the EU summit in October?
Johnson claims this is a new charge.Johnson claims this is a new charge.
He says he wants an election on 15 October. “Earlier if he wants ... let’s crack on with it.” He says he does not see how the UK’s negotiating position can be torpedoed.He says he wants an election on 15 October. “Earlier if he wants ... let’s crack on with it.” He says he does not see how the UK’s negotiating position can be torpedoed.
One of the police officers standing behind Johnson has just stood down. She seems to be feeling faint or ill. Johnson expresses some concern, and then winds up his remarks.One of the police officers standing behind Johnson has just stood down. She seems to be feeling faint or ill. Johnson expresses some concern, and then winds up his remarks.
As Johnson is winding up, the officer stands up again.As Johnson is winding up, the officer stands up again.
And that’s it.And that’s it.
I will post a verdict and summary shortly.I will post a verdict and summary shortly.
Q: Are you planning an all-Ireland regime for agri-foods?Q: Are you planning an all-Ireland regime for agri-foods?
Johnson says there is the germ of a solution to the backstop problem in the late Ian Paisley comment about the Northern Irish being British, but their cattle being Irish.Johnson says there is the germ of a solution to the backstop problem in the late Ian Paisley comment about the Northern Irish being British, but their cattle being Irish.
But he says what is crucial is the idea of democratic control by the people of the UK.But he says what is crucial is the idea of democratic control by the people of the UK.
Q: When are you going to have an inquiry into Islamophobia in the Conservative party, as you promised in the BBC TV debate?Q: When are you going to have an inquiry into Islamophobia in the Conservative party, as you promised in the BBC TV debate?
Johnson says he will have an inquiry into all kinds of racism in the party. He does not say when it will start.Johnson says he will have an inquiry into all kinds of racism in the party. He does not say when it will start.
Q: Do you regret the purge of MPs?Q: Do you regret the purge of MPs?
Johnson says the bill passed yesterday will make it harder for him to get a Brexit deal.Johnson says the bill passed yesterday will make it harder for him to get a Brexit deal.
Under this plan, Brussels would decide how long the UK stayed in the EU. He says he cannot see how that is democratic.Under this plan, Brussels would decide how long the UK stayed in the EU. He says he cannot see how that is democratic.
(Actually, the bill does not say that. The UK would get the final say. More details here.)(Actually, the bill does not say that. The UK would get the final say. More details here.)
Discipline is sometimes tough, he says.Discipline is sometimes tough, he says.
Q: Can you promise not to go back to Brussels and ask for an extension?Q: Can you promise not to go back to Brussels and ask for an extension?
Yes, says Johnson.Yes, says Johnson.
I would rather be dead in a ditch.I would rather be dead in a ditch.
He says an extension would cost £1bn a month and be “totally pointless”.He says an extension would cost £1bn a month and be “totally pointless”.
Q: You said you would unite the country when you became leader. But you are now splitting your own party, and your own brother won’t even support you.Q: You said you would unite the country when you became leader. But you are now splitting your own party, and your own brother won’t even support you.
Johnson says people disagree about Brexit. But the way to unite this country is to get this done, he says.Johnson says people disagree about Brexit. But the way to unite this country is to get this done, he says.
Q: Shouldn’t you be next to resign?Q: Shouldn’t you be next to resign?
Johnson says MPs said they would respect the referendum.Johnson says MPs said they would respect the referendum.
He says there is a stark contrast between his approach and Jeremy Corbyn’s. He says they are making it impossible for the country to leave the EU, and for the country to have an election. He says Corbyn must be the first opposition lead to oppose an election. That goes against his job description, he says.He says there is a stark contrast between his approach and Jeremy Corbyn’s. He says they are making it impossible for the country to leave the EU, and for the country to have an election. He says Corbyn must be the first opposition lead to oppose an election. That goes against his job description, he says.
Q: Aren’t people entitled to ask, if your own brother can’t back you, why should anyone else?Q: Aren’t people entitled to ask, if your own brother can’t back you, why should anyone else?
Johnson says his brother Jo is fantastic guy and was a fantastic minister for science. (His most recent job was universitiies minister.)Johnson says his brother Jo is fantastic guy and was a fantastic minister for science. (His most recent job was universitiies minister.)
He says Jo wants the government to sort Brexit out.He says Jo wants the government to sort Brexit out.
And he says Jo has said this afternoon that he supports his domestic policies. (See 3.10pm.)And he says Jo has said this afternoon that he supports his domestic policies. (See 3.10pm.)
Johnson is now talking about Brexit.Johnson is now talking about Brexit.
He says he will take the UK out by 31 October.He says he will take the UK out by 31 October.
Or someone else would have to take over. But that is not the best course, he says.Or someone else would have to take over. But that is not the best course, he says.
He says an election should decide.He says an election should decide.
He says he “hates banging on about Brexit”.He says he “hates banging on about Brexit”.
I don’t want an election at all ... But frankly I don’t see any other way.I don’t want an election at all ... But frankly I don’t see any other way.
He says people must choose between sending him or Jeremy Corbyn to the Brussels summit in October.He says people must choose between sending him or Jeremy Corbyn to the Brussels summit in October.
He apologises for bringing “this painful subject” up.He apologises for bringing “this painful subject” up.
People do not want to see politicians going on about Brexit, he says.People do not want to see politicians going on about Brexit, he says.
He says they want to see politicians focusing on people’s concerns, like policing.He says they want to see politicians focusing on people’s concerns, like policing.
But we must, must, must settle this EU debate.But we must, must, must settle this EU debate.
Policing is “the top priority of this government”, he says.Policing is “the top priority of this government”, he says.
My colleague Jessica Elgot is not impressed.My colleague Jessica Elgot is not impressed.
Can he be cautioned for wasting police time?Can he be cautioned for wasting police time?
Johnson asks police what the police caution is.Johnson asks police what the police caution is.
None of them read it out to him, so he tries to recite it himself. You do not have to say anything, but anything you do say may be taken down as evidence and used in evidence against you.None of them read it out to him, so he tries to recite it himself. You do not have to say anything, but anything you do say may be taken down as evidence and used in evidence against you.
(Except Johnson does not say it coherently. He stumbles, and gives up half way through. Is he expecting someone to help him out? It is not clear, but it looks as though he has given no thought at all to what he wants to say.)(Except Johnson does not say it coherently. He stumbles, and gives up half way through. Is he expecting someone to help him out? It is not clear, but it looks as though he has given no thought at all to what he wants to say.)
Boris Johnson is speaking now.Boris Johnson is speaking now.
He says today is the launch of his programme to recruit a large number of extra police officers.He says today is the launch of his programme to recruit a large number of extra police officers.
He wants to deliver on the priorities of the British people.He wants to deliver on the priorities of the British people.
He says he hopes people saw the spending announcement yesterday.He says he hopes people saw the spending announcement yesterday.
In his view, policing is the bedrock of society. It is what gives people the confidence to grow the economy.In his view, policing is the bedrock of society. It is what gives people the confidence to grow the economy.
He says he used to be mayor of London, crime commissioner for London.He says he used to be mayor of London, crime commissioner for London.
The most important thing politicians can do is back the police.The most important thing politicians can do is back the police.
It is up to politicians to provide “top cover” for the police, he says.It is up to politicians to provide “top cover” for the police, he says.
More from my colleague Kate Proctor at the Boris Johnson speechMore from my colleague Kate Proctor at the Boris Johnson speech
Boris is so late for his speech... Surely these police officers need to get back on the beat/get home for their tea. The smiles are fading... pic.twitter.com/SXNUMHPbxuBoris is so late for his speech... Surely these police officers need to get back on the beat/get home for their tea. The smiles are fading... pic.twitter.com/SXNUMHPbxu
And this is from the New Statesman’s Patrick Maguire.And this is from the New Statesman’s Patrick Maguire.
Get you a prime minister who treats the country like the Telegraph comment desk https://t.co/JRREXhsAqWGet you a prime minister who treats the country like the Telegraph comment desk https://t.co/JRREXhsAqW
At the Daily Telegraph Johnson was notorious for always filing his column very, very, very late.At the Daily Telegraph Johnson was notorious for always filing his column very, very, very late.
NHS trusts in Kent have block-booked hotel rooms for staff who may not be able to get into work because the country’s roads are gridlocked if there is a no-deal Brexit.NHS trusts in Kent have block-booked hotel rooms for staff who may not be able to get into work because the country’s roads are gridlocked if there is a no-deal Brexit.
Health service bosses have also discussed with the police using them to get patients through unusually heavy traffic to hospitals in Ashford and Canterbury, which are near the ports of Dover and Folkestone, the Health Service Journal reports today.Health service bosses have also discussed with the police using them to get patients through unusually heavy traffic to hospitals in Ashford and Canterbury, which are near the ports of Dover and Folkestone, the Health Service Journal reports today.
East Kent University Hospitals NHS trust, which runs the two hospitals, confirmed to HSJ that it has “booked a small number of hotel rooms close to our emergency hospitals as a precautionary measure, for an initial two-week period [after 31 October]”. The William Harvey hospital near Ashford, which is the area’s main trauma centre - where the most seriously injured patients are treated - “is particularly vulnerable because it is located just off the M20, which is already facing significant delays and disruption due to long-term upgrade work”, HSJ adds.East Kent University Hospitals NHS trust, which runs the two hospitals, confirmed to HSJ that it has “booked a small number of hotel rooms close to our emergency hospitals as a precautionary measure, for an initial two-week period [after 31 October]”. The William Harvey hospital near Ashford, which is the area’s main trauma centre - where the most seriously injured patients are treated - “is particularly vulnerable because it is located just off the M20, which is already facing significant delays and disruption due to long-term upgrade work”, HSJ adds.