Minister vows to finish Boris Johnson’s career as ‘suicide vest’ jibe at Theresa May’s Brexit ignites Tory civil war
Boris Johnson said Mrs May had clothed Britain in a suicide belt and given the detonator to Brussels which prompted a blistering counter attack
BORIS Johnson ignited an incredible Tory civil war yesterday after claiming Theresa May had wrapped a “suicide vest” around Brexit Britain.
In his biggest attack yet on the PM’s Brexit “humiliation” he said Mrs May had clothed Britain in a suicide belt and given the detonator to Brussels.
Livid Foreign Minister Alan Duncan vowed to finish his former boss’ political career “for good” in a blistering counter attack. He stormed: “This marks one of the most disgusting moments in modern British politics.”
And Tory rising star and former squaddie Tom Tugendhat demanded Boris “grow up”. Mr Tugendhat – who served in Iraq and Afghanistan – said: “A suicide bomber murdered many in the courtyard of my office in Helmand.
“The carnage was disgusting, limbs and flesh hanging from trees and bushes.
“Comparing the PM to that isn’t funny.”
Critics claimed the former Foreign Secretary was using the incredible comments – published in a Sunday newspaper column – to divert attention from the controversy over his private life.
But allies hit back and accused Downing Street of orchestrating a smear campaign to “kill off” any hopes Boris Johnson has of mounting a leadership bid to unseat Theresa May.
Zac Goldsmith – a close friend of Mr Johnson and Carrie Symonds – tore into Alan Duncan and questioned the motives behind his attack.
He said: “We can be certain ‘principles’ aren’t one of them’.”
Stewart Jackson, former MP and adviser to Brexit Secretary David Davis added: “At least Alan Duncan is briefing journalists on the record now.
“A grateful nation awaits his next interjection with a hushed silence.”
Ross Thomson, one of 12 new Scottish Tory MPs, publicly accused No.10 “smearing” Mr Johnson because of his opposition to Theresa May’s Chequers plan. Taking to Twitter he said: “This is gutter politics that only serves to deliver the disaster of a Corbyn government.
“Very disappointed.”
The Sun Says
THE confected outrage about Boris’ “suicide vest” comments is as transparent as it is pathetic.
Sir Alan Duncan, a self-important stuffed suit whose knighthood is the clearest indication yet that our honours system isn’t what it used to be, says that he will “make sure” that the former Foreign Secretary meets his “political end.” You and whose army, Al?
Other backbenchers seem to have confused a harmless metaphor in a newspaper column with the actions of murderous extremists.
Like it or not, political never-weres and newcomers need to accept Boris Johnson remains the most popular Conservative politician in the country.
If they don’t realise that now, just wait until Tory Conference.
This righteous fury at what amounts to nothing more than colourful language — as we saw during the ludicrous week-long “letterboxes” row — is nothing more than a naked attempt to kneecap him.
It looks dangerously like an attempt to hole Brexit below the waterline, too.
It does nobody any credit to have these rows play out in public.
The Labour Party is doing enough in-fighting for both main parties without the Tories trying to match them.
When your opponents are arguing between themselves, it’s best not to interrupt, especially when one of their MPs is describing their own party as “institutionally racist”.
There is no question the next few weeks will be tumultuous. Decisions made now will affect the UK’s future for decades to come.
But we can do without the sound and the fury of made-up rows.
Furious Downing Street insiders yesterday slammed suggestions No.10 was behind any attack on Mr Johnson.
And they vehemently dismissed claims they had built up a “dirty dossier” on the ex-Foreign Secretary.
But one Theresa May loyalist hinted at the intense tension between the two camps with Tory Party conference less than a month away.
The senior Tory told The Sun: “Everyone knows Boris is planning to use Tory conference to push his leadership claims. That’s why it’s vital to damage him now and show how little support he has.”
Another warned: “Boris has to put a sock in it and grow up.
“If this continues he’ll take the whole ship down with him. And we’ll have Jeremy Corbyn in Number 10.”
Boris Johnson is already under investigation by the Conservatives for comparing Muslim women who wear the veil to “letterboxes” a month ago.
Speaking yesterday, Home Secretary Sajid Javid said he didn’t believe Boris Johnson was “Islamaphobic”.
But he said his former Cabinet colleague had made a mistake in using the suicide belt term to make his point yesterday. He told the BBC: “I think there are much better ways to articulate your differences.
“And I think it’s a reminder for all of us in public policy, whichever political party we represent, to use measured language, because I think that’s what the public want to see.”
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