Boris Johnson’s sister Rachel switches to Lib Dems in attempt to put the brakes on Hard Brexit
The author – who confessed she 'sat down and wept' after the Referendum - revealed she’d even toyed with the idea of running as a Lib Dem candidate in the upcoming Election
BORIS Johnson’s turncoat sister Rachel has signed up as a Lib Dem in a bid to slam the brakes on a Hard Brexit, it has emerged.
The fickle author – who confessed she “sat down and wept” after the Referendum - revealed she’d even toyed with the idea of running as a Lib Dem candidate in the upcoming Election.
But party rules mean the former Tory is likely to be too late to be considered as a candidate.
Rachel – who has made a career out of dishing the dirt on her brother in a weekly Sunday newspaper column - wrote last year how Brexit had driven a rift through the Johnson family.
She wrote quitting the EU made her “feels wrong to my stomach”.
Her former MEP father Stanley and Universities Minister brother Jo – also both backed Remain.
She claimed her teenage son Oliver had blasted his uncle’s role backing Brexit saying: “Boris has stolen our futures”.
Last night her journalist husband Ivo Dawnay, wrote on Twitter: “It’s been 25 years since my wife Rachel Johnson(sic) agreed on anything - but then Brexit. I joined the Lib Dems 6 weeks ago. Why haven’t you?”
Ms Johnson joined the Tories in 2008 after a dinner party conversation with David Cameron.
But she deserted the party three years later moaning she’d been treated “like the brainwashed member of a cult”.
Last year, she wrote in her column: “In general elections I have voted nothing but Tory, and since I have two brothers standing as MPs for the party, it’s sort of a matter of family duty.”
But one Brexit-backing Tory backbencher defended her last night.
James Cleverly said: “Rachel Johnson’s decision is fascinating. It’s almost as if a woman having a different opinion to her brother is shocking.”
Sources said Ms Johnson had rung Nick Clegg for advice and discussed standing as a candidate in the South West, where she has a home in Exeter.
The region has historically been Lib Dem heartlands – but Tory MPs cleaned up in the 2015 election.
The Lib Dems are the only major party who want to reverse Brexit.
Tim Farron has also demanded a second referendum of the terms of a Brexit deal.
Last night the Lib Dems declined to comment.
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