Brexit gag email was a blunder says Boris

BORIS Johnson yesterday overturned an order telling his staff to back his pro- Brexit stance.

The London Mayor and Tory MP insisted his team had “complete freedom” to speak out for staying in the European Union.

Mr Johnson said the instruction sent to City Hall offi cials by his chief of staff, Sir Edward Lister, was a “cock- up” which was cancelled as soon as he was made aware of it.

Sir Edward’s email told staff they “can, when not at work, express personal opinions [ which may be contrary to the Mayor’s views]”.

But it added: “While this is the formal position for you also, I would expect, given your roles, you either to advocate the Mayor’s position or otherwise not openly to contradict it.”

But, speaking outside his home yesterday, Mr Johnson totally disowned the advice.

Problem

He said: “Nobody has been gagged. I was only made aware of this edict late last night and it ceased to be operative as soon as I was made aware of it.

“All I can say is it obviously hasn’t been operative because you’ve got members of my advisory team taking a very different view from me. So they can, so they shall, and with complete impunity too.”

He said he had no prior knowledge of Sir Edward’s message before it was sent, adding: “It’s a cock- up. I perfectly accept that.

“It’s not something I agree with. My staff and my team have complete freedom to say what they want. They already are and have been for several days. They can do what they want.”

Sources said the problem with Sir Edward’s email was that it suggested offi cials should toe Mr Johnson’s EU line even when not at work, which went beyond routine civil service guidance.