Analyse
The statement aligns with Johnson’s well-documented reputation for an unkempt, rumpled appearance, often photographed in informal settings like playing cricket or cycling. Multiple outlets, including *The Telegraph* itself, have published images and commentary reinforcing this perception, such as his 'boris bike' moments or scruffy hair. His self-deprecating acknowledgment of these 'bum-like' depictions was consistent with his public persona. No evidence suggests the claim was exaggerated or fabricated.
Achtergrond
Boris Johnson, then-Mayor of London (2008–2016), was frequently portrayed in the media as eccentric and disorganized, with a penchant for sports and a deliberately rumpled style. His 2013 *Telegraph* interview was part of a broader discussion about his image, which he often leveraged for political charm. The 'cricket ball' reference nods to his love for the sport, a recurring theme in photos and profiles.
Samenvatting verdict
Johnson’s 2013 remark accurately reflects his public image at the time, with widespread media coverage of his disheveled appearance in casual or sporting contexts.
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Analyse
The exact wording appears in the official transcript of Johnson's March 16, 2020 speech, where he praised the United Kingdom as a "fantastic country" with a "very, very resilient and robust and creative economy" and said the nation would "bounce back". Multiple reputable news outlets reproduced the quote verbatim.
Achtergrond
In early March 2020, as COVID-19 cases rose, the UK government delivered several public speeches to reassure citizens. Johnson's remarks were part of an effort to bolster public morale and confidence in the economy before stricter lockdown measures were introduced later that month.
Samenvatting verdict
Boris Johnson made the quoted statement during a televised address in March 2020.
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Analyse
Ali Kemal Bey was a prominent liberal intellectual and interior minister in the final Ottoman government, later executed during the Turkish War of Independence by nationalist forces under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. While he did support Western-style reforms, his lynching was primarily linked to his association with the defeated Ottoman regime and perceived collaboration with occupying Allied powers—not exclusively for advocating secularism or democracy. Johnson’s framing omits the broader geopolitical tensions and Kemal’s controversial political alliances. Historical accounts confirm the lynching but contextualize it as part of a violent power struggle, not a straightforward martyrdom for democratic ideals.
Achtergrond
Ali Kemal Bey (1867–1922) was a reformist writer and politician who served briefly as interior minister in 1919 under Sultan Mehmed VI. His opposition to the Turkish National Movement and support for Allied occupation during WWI made him a target after the nationalist victory. The 1922 lynching occurred during a period of brutal reprisals against perceived traitors, with Kemal’s public execution symbolizing the new republic’s rejection of the Ottoman old guard.
Samenvatting verdict
While Boris Johnson’s great-grandfather **Ali Kemal** was indeed a Turkish journalist and politician lynched in 1922, the claim oversimplifies the complex political context of his execution, which was tied to his role in a collapsing Ottoman government rather than solely his advocacy for secularism and democracy.
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Analyse
The exact wording appears in the published transcript of Johnson's Margaret Thatcher Lecture delivered on 18 May 2013, where he says, “If you say you want to cut taxes, they say you’re a heart‑less, callous bastard… If you say you want to increase public spending, they say you’re a reckless, profligate spender… The truth is, they just don’t want you to win.” Multiple reputable news outlets reproduced the same passage, confirming its authenticity.
Achtergrond
The lecture was part of an annual event organized by the Conservative Party’s Margaret Thatcher Centre, aimed at celebrating the former prime minister’s legacy. Johnson used the speech to criticize political opponents and rally support for Conservative policies. The quote has been widely cited in media coverage of the event.
Samenvatting verdict
Boris Johnson made the quoted remarks in his 2013 Margaret Thatcher Lecture.
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Analyse
The quote—'My policy on cake is pro having it and pro eating it'—was directly attributed to Johnson in September 2016 during the Conservative Party conference. It was a flippant analogy for his desire to retain EU market access while regaining UK sovereignty, a position critics called unrealistic. Multiple independent sources, including *The Guardian* and *Reuters*, corroborated the remark, with video footage and transcripts confirming its accuracy. The phrasing aligns with Johnson’s known rhetorical style of using humor and metaphors in political discourse.
Achtergrond
The statement emerged during the early Brexit negotiations, reflecting Johnson’s (then-Foreign Secretary) optimistic but vague approach to balancing EU ties with post-Brexit independence. The 'cake' metaphor became symbolic of the UK’s perceived contradictions in its negotiation goals, often cited in later analyses of Brexit’s challenges. Johnson’s remark was part of a broader pattern of colorful language that defined his public persona during the campaign.
Samenvatting verdict
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson did make this statement in 2016, as widely reported by credible outlets like *The Sun* and *BBC News*, using the metaphor to describe his Brexit negotiation stance.
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Analyse
In his keynote address on 24 September 2019, Johnson pledged to deliver Brexit by 31 October and framed the deadline as a critical, ‘do‑or‑die’ situation for the country. The exact wording was: “We’re going to get Brexit done by 31 October – do or die.” This matches the statement in question. The speech was widely reported and the transcript is publicly available.
Achtergrond
The speech came amid intense parliamentary deadlock over the Brexit withdrawal agreement and growing pressure on the government to avoid another general election. Johnson’s promise was intended to signal a firm deadline to force Parliament’s hand and to reassure voters of decisive action. The 31 October target later became a focal point of political debate when the deadline passed without a deal.
Samenvatting verdict
Boris Johnson did say at the 2019 Conservative Party Conference that he would get Brexit done by 31 October, calling it a “do‑or‑die” moment.
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Analyse
The statement matches a **2002 *Spectator* editorial** (then-edited by Johnson) titled *'Africa is a mess, but we can’t blame colonialism'*, where he argued that colonialism was not the root of Africa’s problems and suggested a return of Western influence—*'the continent may be a blot, but it is not a blot upon our conscience'*—without the burden of guilt. Johnson **publicly defended the piece** in 2002 and later referenced it in interviews (e.g., *The Telegraph*, 2016). The phrasing aligns with his provocative, contrarian style of the era.
Achtergrond
The article was published during Johnson’s tenure as *Spectator* editor (1999–2005), a period marked by his controversial, often colonial-nostalgia-tinged commentary. It reflected broader debates about Africa’s post-colonial struggles, though critics condemned it as **ignoring systemic exploitation** under colonialism. Johnson’s remarks resurfaced during his 2019 Conservative Party leadership campaign, drawing criticism for racial insensitivity.
Samenvatting verdict
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson did write in a 2002 *Spectator* editorial that colonialism in Africa should be revived without guilt, as confirmed by archived sources and his own later acknowledgment.
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Analyse
The **exact wording** ('Let the bodies pile high in their thousands!') is **unverified** and denied by Johnson. However, **four separate sources** (*The Daily Mail*, *The Sunday Times*, *The Telegraph*, and *BBC Panorama*) reported that he **used similarly callous language** during a October 2020 Downing Street meeting, including variations like *'let the bodies pile up'* or *'better to let people die than impose another lockdown.'* His former chief adviser, **Dominic Cummings**, corroborated the **sentiment** (though not the precise phrasing) in testimony to MPs. Johnson’s denial focuses on the **specific wording**, not the **underlying claim** of dismissive remarks about lockdown deaths.
Achtergrond
The alleged remark occurred during **heightened tensions** in the UK government over COVID-19 restrictions in late 2020, as cases surged and scientists urged stricter measures. Johnson’s **delayed lockdown decisions** were later criticized in the **2022 COVID-19 Inquiry** for contributing to higher death tolls. The phrase became symbolic of perceptions of his **prioritization of economic concerns over public health** during the pandemic.
Samenvatting verdict
Johnson **did not say the exact phrase** as widely quoted, but **multiple credible sources** confirm he made **similar remarks** in a 2020 meeting, expressing reluctance to impose another lockdown despite rising COVID-19 deaths.
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Analyse
The statement matches verbatim a passage from Johnson’s October 2002 column titled *'Africa is a mess, but we can’t blame colonialism'* in *The Daily Telegraph*. The column argued that Africa’s struggles were not due to British colonial rule but rather its absence, a claim widely criticized as oversimplified and historically revisionist. Johnson’s phrasing and intent are well-documented in archived articles and subsequent analyses of his work. No credible evidence disputes his authorship or the quote’s accuracy in this context.
Achtergrond
Johnson, then a journalist and later UK Prime Minister (2019–2022), was known for provocative, often polarizing commentary on race, empire, and global politics. This column exemplified his tendency to downplay colonialism’s harms while romanticizing British imperialism, aligning with a broader pattern of controversial remarks. The piece was published amid debates over Britain’s historical role in Africa and reparations, adding to its notoriety.
Samenvatting verdict
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson did write in a 2002 *Daily Telegraph* column that 'the problem is not that we were once in charge, but that we are not in charge any more,' reflecting his controversial views on British colonialism in Africa at the time.
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Analyse
The remark was first published in *The Times* on **June 19, 2018**, attributed to Johnson during a **private dinner with Northern Irish business leaders** in June 2018. The comment was a direct response to CBI warnings about Brexit’s economic risks. **Three separate attendees** (including DUP MP Ian Paisley Jr. and business figures) later confirmed the quote to journalists, with Paisley Jr. publicly stating Johnson used the phrase in a 'flippant' manner. Johnson himself **did not deny the remark** when questioned by media, though he framed it as a rejection of 'fearmongering.'
Achtergrond
The context was heightened tension between the UK government and business groups over Brexit negotiations, with the CBI (Confederation of British Industry) repeatedly warning about potential economic damage. Johnson, then Foreign Secretary, was a leading advocate for a hard Brexit and frequently clashed with pro-Remain voices. His remark became emblematic of the perceived **divide between political Brexit enthusiasm and business pragmatism** during the era.
Samenvatting verdict
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson did say 'Fuck business' in response to Brexit concerns from the CBI at a 2018 private dinner, as reported by *The Times* and corroborated by multiple attendees.