Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
A SORRY APOLOGY
PM slammed for not speaking directly to families
BORIS Johnson was blasted as “contemptible” last night for failing to apologise directly to the families of the Ballymurphy victims.
The Prime Minister said sorry to Stormont leaders Arlene Foster and Michelle O’neill in a phone call.
But he had no time for the relatives who fought for nearly 50 years to clear the names of their loved ones.
MP Claire Hanna said: “Boris Johnson needs to show the minimal level of grace and decency...rather than this contemptible apparent pass it on effort.”
Boris Johnson has failed to pay or contest a £535 county court judgment issued against him six months ago.
No10 refused to reveal what the legal dispute was about but insisted it was “totally without merit” and would now be challenged through the courts.
It is another embarrassment for a prime minister accused of living beyond his means with a chaotic private life, and dithering at key points in the pandemic.
Details of the judgment, obtained by Private Eye and seen by the Mirror, show the claim was made online against Mr Johnson at his Downing Street address. He is believed to be the first serving PM to have received a CCJ.
The claimant, who won the judgment on October 26, is not named. An official at the
HM Courts and Tribunals Service told the Mirror details on the claim form were “confidential”.
Downing Street failed to explain yesterday how the county court claim went through unchallenged.
Mr Johnson and his staff should have received several letters during the legal process.
No 10 said: “An application will be made for an order to set aside the default judgment, to strike out the claim and for a declaration that the claim is... without merit.”
Earlier, the PM’S official spokesman denied the claim had anything to do with the controversial refurb of Mr Johnson’s apartment.
Asked whether the Prime Minister could be trusted with the nation’s finances if he could not manage his own, the spokesman said: “I think our record on the economy is very clear.”