John Bercow says Boris Johnson was the “worst PM” he’d ever known.
Boris Johnson has been called “immoral”, “unethical”, “unfocused” and “utterly without any coherent vision” during a harsh attack by John Bercow (ex-Commons speaker).
Bercow claimed that the former Tory leader was his “worst” prime minster, although he denied any personal hostility towards him.
Bercow denied that he was “banned from Westminster” after an investigation revealed that he was a serial bully. He also claimed that the entire process was “amateurish”.
Learn more Johnson had cousin act as ‘guarantor for an £800,000 credit facility’ while PM
Bercow, who was the speaker, became known as a scourge to Brexiteers. He believed that a series of rulings he made during his tenure were in support of Remain.
He quit the job in 2019 and defected to Labour 2021. He claimed that the Conservatives were “reactionary and populist, nationistic, sometimes even xenophobic” under Johnson.
“I didn’t think he was fit for office, I thought he was immoral, unethical, unfocused, utterly devoid of any coherent vision or plan for the country,” he told GB News’s Camilla Tominey.
To his supporters, Johnson is quick-witted, charismatic, and possesses the ability to work his bumbling persona to his advantage – but Bercow wasn’t having any of it.
“He is, I think without doubt, the worst public speaker of any prime minister I’ve ever heard. I have never witnessed anyone stumble so badly. He gave a great speech.
Bercow had strong words to say regarding the handling of the parliamentary investigation into allegations that he bullied his staff and made them feel inferior.
Learn more Keir Starmer says 16 is too young for gender self-identification for trans people
He stated: “I have not been banned from Westminster. That is the first point.
“The second point is that I was told that I couldn’t have a parliamentary pass – Camilla, I didn’t ask for a parliamentary pass so it’s a completely toothless, meaningless, absurd and implausible sanction.
“Thirdly,” I would tell you, “Look, I’m not without flaws or blemishes, to err in human, I’ve made a lot of mistakes, but it doesn’t mean that I bullied anyone in anyway, anywhere, at any given time.
“When it was suggested that I had lied – many things have been said about me over the years – but not that I am other than straightforward and candid, I haven’t lied about anything.”
Bercow lashed out at the “amateurish and ramshackle, hopelessly corrupt process of investigation” and stated that historical probes into matters dating back more than a decade were “immediately stopped” following his case.
Bercow stated that anyone can be investigated if they file a complaint within 12 months.
Learn more Rees-Mogg rails at ‘outrageous and sinister’ move to get Johnson to wear face mask
“I had people making accusations about what I did or did not do in a meeting a decade earlier.”
He stated, “It is an absurd process without any weight or credibility… To call it a kangaroo courts is a very serious insult to kangaroos.”
Watch: Boris Johnson receives biggest donation to an MP after single contribution of £1m