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Andy Gregory
Jul 24, 2019
Boris Johnson is the next prime minister of Britain.
While it’s seemed grimly inevitable for some time, that didn’t help to cushion the shock of the surreal announcement
And judging by the reaction (aside from those of simpering colleagues), nobody was more dismayed than those who know him best.
First up, his sister, Rachel Johnson was captured by ITV’s Robert Peston, looking long-suffering, to put it mildly.
What your sister thinks when you become PM (@RachelSJohnson @BorisJohnson) https://t.co/ttwqam4Zkm— Robert Peston (@Robert Peston) 1563892658
While his brother Jo has since claimed to be delighted with his brother’s new job, one Twitter user suggested differently.
@Peston @RachelSJohnson @BorisJohnson Jo Johnson's eyes are haunted too. You can see his spirit departing. Must be… https://t.co/vW2YWqTLcR— Edwin Hayward 🦄 🗡 (@Edwin Hayward 🦄 🗡) 1563892961
Here are some glowing references from former colleagues, kicked off with this excellent tribute by his one-time employer, The Times.
We’ve not yet changed the text on this photo in the gallery of @thetimes alumni by the loos in our office. https://t.co/GhPAcJEmxj— Patrick Kidd (@Patrick Kidd) 1563895382
Former chairman of the Conservative Muslim Forum @Mohammed_Amin has resigned from the Tory Party because he thinks… https://t.co/cU2laaQOaL— BBC Asian Network (@BBC Asian Network) 1563895979
His biographer and former deputy didn't seem too pleased with his ascension either...
...while agreeing with a foreign minister who abandoned ship the day before.
But Friends of 'Britain Trump' were happy, and seemingly very excited about broadband.
Boris Johnson becomes Conservative party leader and next Prime Minister. I worked closely with him at City Hall a… https://t.co/Csf8n1na5l— Friends Of Trump UK🇬🇧& Commonwealth Affairs 🇺🇸 (@Friends Of Trump UK🇬🇧& Commonwealth Affairs 🇺🇸) 1563910985
Others shared their concerns in the run-up to the event.
I've worked with Boris Johnson, the man is a charlatan, his affable bumbling routine is all an act. The media know… https://t.co/Vv22YpFKfE— Seán Seosamh Robertson (@Seán Seosamh Robertson) 1558679707
"I have very grave concerns that he flies by the seat of his pants... he's going to smack into a crisis of governme… https://t.co/6mn6l976Ab— BBC Politics (@BBC Politics) 1563806787
A senior civil servant who worked with Boris Johnson while he was at the FCO told me: “He’s dangerous”. Not exactly… https://t.co/jydkuGE6nj— Pippa Crerar (@Pippa Crerar) 1559424001
As did those twice removed.
Boris Johnson once told a colleague of mine he wanted to enter politics because "no one puts up statues to journali… https://t.co/axFFAZtubB— Jim Pickard (@Jim Pickard) 1563878887
However, none of these quite hold up to this young Scottish graffiti artist's stellar analysis.
A reminder of one the greatest chain of events ever to have taken place in Glasgow. https://t.co/00UMYuI11K— Jamie Ross (@Jamie Ross) 1563884213
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