PM backs ‘star’ minister who smeared Boris
DAVID Cameron was last night accused of sanctioning a ‘desperate smear’ on Boris Johnson’s character.
In a referendum television debate on Thursday night, Tory Energy Secretary Amber Rudd launched an innuendo-laden attack on the former London mayor.
In her closing remarks to ITV, she declared: ‘Boris is the life and soul of the party but he’s not the man you want driving you home at the end of the evening.’
Members of the studio audience appeared stunned by the ferocity of the character attack and some hissed at Miss Rudd.
Leave campaigners speculated that the attacks had been orchestrated by No10, which has been rattled by recent polls showing the contest is neck and neck. And yesterday the Prime Minister dismissed criticism of Miss Rudd’s attack on Mr Johnson.
He was asked during a Facebook/Buzzfeed debate if he ‘felt sorry’ for Boris Johnson.
But he made clear he was happy with Miss Rudd’s remarks. ‘They are lively affairs and that’s the way it is,’ he said.
It marked a high point of viciousness between leading Tories and made a mockery of Mr Cameron’s pledge not to engage in ‘blue on blue’
attacks. In a message posted on Twitter after the debate, the Prime Minister praised Miss Rudd’s performance, writing: ‘Amber Rudd was a star in the ITV debate. She was passionate and clear about why we are StrongerIn the EU, “leading not leaving”.’
The message, sent shortly after the debate, was seen by Leave campaigners as an explicit endorsement of Miss Rudd’s assault.
Pro-Brexit Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said the attack was ‘undoubtedly’ sanctioned by No10.
‘The desperate Remain campaign are now resorting to personal attacks and smears because they have actually lost the argument,’ he said. ‘I’m very proud that the British people are not being cowed by Project Fear.’
On social media, viewers accused Miss Rudd of making ‘cheap jibes’ against the former London mayor over stories in the past about his womanising and extra-marital affairs.
Miss Rudd’s brother, PR man Roland Rudd, is a leading figure in the Remain campaign and campaigned to get Britain into the euro. The debate saw a series of orchestrated personal attacks on Mr Johnson.
Miss Rudd claimed he was only campaigning for Brexit to further his leadership ambitions. Asked about immigration she said ‘we need to look at the numbers’ of migrants, before adding: ‘I fear the only number that Boris is interested in is the Number 10.’
In the Facebook/Buzzfeed debate yesterday, Mr Cameron also indicated that he would still give Mr Johnson a Cabinet job after the referendum.