Johnson as PM would horrify Scots: Sturgeon

The prospect of Boris Johnson becoming prime minister would “horrify” Scots and boost the case for independence, according to Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister.

The former foreign secretary was a “complete and utter charlatan”, Sturgeon told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

Speaking a day after Johnson confirmed his bid to become Conservative leader, Sturgeon said: “The prospect of him becoming prime minister is one that will horrify many people across Scotland.”

Ruth Davidson, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives, frequently criticised Johnson during the EU referendum, and blocked him from attending a conference of the Scottish Tories earlier this month.

Alluding to the rift, Sturgeon said: “Even the Scottish Tories are terrified at the prospect (of a Johnson premiership) because I think they know what it would do to their standing.” She added:

“If we wait too long (for another vote on independence), then we risk untold damage being done to Scotland’s interests, certainly by Brexit, and then possibly the prospect of having somebody like Boris Johnson as prime minister.”

Asked what impact a Johnson premiership would have on the independence debate, she said: “It would lead to many more people thinking that the best future for Scotland is to be independent so that we can protect our interests, that we can take our own decisions, that we can co-operate with other independent countries across the European Union for our mutual interest. In other words, be a normal, progressive, independent country.”

She described Johnson as “the guy who misled people in the Brexit vote, who has only ever put his own interests first … a complete and utter charlatan in my opinion”.

Sturgeon also said she could “feel a degree of sympathy” for Theresa May on a personal level, but added: “That said, I don’t think she has played the hand she was given particularly well.”