Jump directly to the content

BORIS Johnson emerged from his Oxfordshire home with cups of tea for exhausted reporters waiting to confront him over his hugely divisive burka comments today.

Johnson, 54, caused a rift in the Conservative party when he likened women wearing the traditional Islamic garbs to bank robbers and letter boxes.

Boris Johnson brought cups of tea to reporters outside his Oxfordshire his home who were waiting to quiz him over his controversial burka comments
9
Boris Johnson brought cups of tea to reporters outside his Oxfordshire his home who were waiting to quiz him over his controversial burka commentsCredit: PA:Press Association

Leading Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg was among the MPs and grassroots who turned on Theresa May for ordering an inquiry into the jibe.

Meanwhile, more than than half of voters believe Johnson should not face disciplinary action for his comments about the burka, a new survey revealed.

Dressed in a purple zip-up fleece, the former foreign secretary twice asked reporters if they'd like a cup of tea as they quizzed him over the controversial remarks this afternoon.

When one reporter pressed him on whether he "regretted his comments", he again evaded by saying: "I would like you to have a cup of tea."

The former foreign secretary had returned home from his holiday in Italy amid an ongoing civil war in the Conservative party over his remarks
9
The former foreign secretary had returned home from his holiday in Italy amid an ongoing civil war in the Conservative party over his remarksCredit: PA:Press Association

He went on: "I am here solely on a humanitarian mission because you have been here all day.

"You have all been incredibly patient and I feel very sorry for you because I have nothing to say about this matter."

A ComRes survey for the Sunday Express found 53 per cent were opposed to punishment for the former foreign secretary, against 40 per cent who said he deserved to be disciplined.

The poll was released as Johnson returned to the UK from a holiday in Italy amid an escalating civil war within the Conservative Party.

The ex-Mayor of London repeatedly evaded questions on whether he regretted his comments
9
The ex-Mayor of London repeatedly evaded questions on whether he regretted his commentsCredit: Doug Seeburg - The Sun
Johnson ignored questions over his remarks likening women in burkas to bank robbers and letter boxes
9
Johnson ignored questions over his remarks likening women in burkas to bank robbers and letter boxesCredit: Doug Seeburg - The Sun
Johnson's critics have called for him to be suspended over what they perceive to be racist comments
9
Johnson's critics have called for him to be suspended over what they perceive to be racist commentsCredit: PA:Press Association
PM Theresa May says former foreign secretary Boris Johnson ‘was wrong’ over burka comments and has ‘caused offence’
Johnson simply kept offering the journalists cups of tea, saying he felt 'sorry for them' but had nothing to say
9
Johnson simply kept offering the journalists cups of tea, saying he felt 'sorry for them' but had nothing to sayCredit: Reuters

Theresa May said Johnson was "wrong" over the comments and urged him to apologise for causing offence.

But Rees-Mogg denounced the investigation launched into Mr Johnson's remarks as a "show trial" motivated by May's personal rivalry with a man many see as her likely successor.

The Sunday Times reported that four Cabinet ministers had privately expressed dismay at the handling of the case.

And Tory MP Andrew Bridgen, a supporter of Mr Johnson, warned of "open warfare" in the Conservative Party if he was suspended in such a way that he could not take part in a future leadership contest.

Johnson is expected to elaborate on his remarks in his weekly column in the Telegraph tomorrow
9
Johnson is expected to elaborate on his remarks in his weekly column in the Telegraph tomorrowCredit: London News Pictures
Local people protest against Johnson outside the Hillingdon Conservative Association office
9
Local people protest against Johnson outside the Hillingdon Conservative Association officeCredit: Getty Images - Getty
An independent panel will investigate complaints made regarding Johnson's comments and possible breaches of the Conservative Party code
9
An independent panel will investigate complaints made regarding Johnson's comments and possible breaches of the Conservative Party codeCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Read more about Boris Johnson

Nigel Farage favourite to be next PM as he warns Tories are in 'trouble'
FARAGE IN FRONT

Nigel Farage favourite to be next PM as he warns Tories are in 'trouble'

Boris Johnson used to wander along No10 in shorts hunting for takeaways
BORIS IN BRIEFS

Boris Johnson used to wander along No10 in shorts hunting for takeaways

Let's see PM deliver the change Labour promised... not more rhetoric
THE SUN SAYS

Let's see PM deliver the change Labour promised... not more rhetoric

French PM & EU's Brexit hardman Barnier RESIGNS as government collapses
BYE, BYE BARNIER

French PM & EU's Brexit hardman Barnier RESIGNS as government collapses

Johnson is expected to break his silence in his regular Monday column in the Daily Telegraph, where his controversial comments were first printed six days ago.

Far-right US activist Steve Bannon, who was in contact with Mr Johnson during his recent visit to the UK, urged him not to "bow at the altar of political correctness" by apologising.

The former aide to Donald Trump told the Sunday Times that Mr Johnson had "nothing to apologise for".

Burka-wearing scientist Sahar Al-Faifi says Boris Johnson's comments are making Muslim women 'dehumanised' and like 'criminals'

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Money team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 78 24516. Don't forget to join the for the latest bargains and money-saving advice.

YOU MIGHT LIKE
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
MORE FOR YOU