Backlash over Johnson’s Brexit ‘suicide vest’ jibe

Comparison to bomber is not funny, says ex-army officer

Boris Johnson has faced a Tory backlash over his claim that Theresa May’s Brexit strategy had put the UK in a “suicide vest” and handed the detonator to Brussels.

One senior minister said the comments marked the “political end” of the former foreign secretary, while Cabinet ministers criticised his incendiary language.

Mr Johnson launched the attack amid further focus on his private life following the announcement that he has separated from his wife Marina Wheeler and the couple are divorcing.

The prominent Brexiteer’s latest assault on Mrs May’s handling of negotiations with Brussels fuelled speculation about his own leadership ambitions.

Mr Johnson quit the Cabinet in opposition to Mrs May’s Chequers plan which would see the UK remain closely aligned with EU rules on goods.

Writing in the Mail On Sunday, he said: “It is a humiliation.

“We look like a seven-stone weakling being comically bent out of shape by a 500lb gorilla.”

He also lashed out at the Northern Ireland “backstop” – the measure aimed at making sure there is no hard border with Ireland.

Under the EU’s version of the plan, if no trade deal with the UK resolved the issue, Northern Ireland would effectively remain part of the single market.

Mr Johnson said: “We have opened ourselves to perpetual political blackmail. We have wrapped a suicide vest around the British constitution – and handed the detonator to Michel

Barnier.

“We have given him a jemmy with which Brussels can choose, at any time, to crack apart the union between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.”

Home Secretary Sajid Javid rebuked his former Cabinet colleague, saying: “I think there are much better ways to articulate your differences.”

He told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show that politicians should use “measured language”.

Communities Secretary James Brokenshire told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge On Sunday he thought Mr Johnson had used the wrong “tone” in the article.

His comments drew a furious response from Tory MP and ex-army officer Tom Tugendhat – who has been viewed as a possible rival in a leadership contest.

“A suicide bomber murdered many in the courtyard of my office in Helmand,” he said. “Comparing the PM to that isn’t funny.”

Picture: AP. One senior Cabinet minister said the comments marked the “political end” of Boris Johnson.