My dad Stanley is ‘heroic’.. despite busting mum nose
Boris and siblings back dad on docu
BORIS Johnson insists his father Stanley is “heroic” despite once breaking his mother’s nose.
The former Prime Minister, 59, was quoted in four-part Channel 4 documentary The Rise and Fall of Boris Johnson, which started last night.
In it, father Stanley confirms for the first time he broke the nose of first wife Charlotte Johnson Wahl, Boris’s mum, in a statement via lawyers.
A message on screen reads: “Although Stanley Johnson admits he once struck his wife and broke her nose during an altercation, he says this was accidental and a one-off incident. He categorically denies any suggestions of domestic violence.
“In this context his four children have issued a joint statement: ‘For the record, we don’t recognise this characterisation of our parents’ marriage. He was a heroic father (still is) and what we did see first-hand was a huge and unwavering amount of affection.’”
In the show, John and Sally Weston talk about being close to the family when they lived in Brussels. Sally says Charlotte was “worn out” by kids Boris, Rachel, Jo and Leo as Stanley chased his dream of being an MEP. Asked how Stanley coped, John replies: “Stanley was Stanley. Rushing from A to B to C to D, all in one gulp. Over-revving a lot of the time. Fatal to anybody else who is close to him.” In 1974, Charlotte spent time in Maudsley Psychiatric Hospital, South London. Sally says: “It was quite obvious her life was a huge strain. I said to her, anybody who’s married to Stanley is bound to be ill.” John says: “I mean, was he, am I right in remembering on at least one occasion he actually struck her?” Sally replies: “Well, that’s what she told me.” After her hospital time, Boris was sent to boarding school. Charlotte and Stanley divorced in 1979 and she died in 2021. In 2020 book The Gambler by Tom Bower, Charlotte said: “He broke my nose. I want the truth told.” Stanley declined to comment at the time.
■ The Rise and Fall of Boris Johnson continues tonight at 9pm on Channel 4 and is also available on demand