PM’S father acquires French citizenship

THE Prime Minister’s father Stanley Johnson has said he is pleased to retain a tie with the European Union after Brexit by acquiring French citizenship.

The former member of the European Parliament (MEP) said that son Boris Johnson responded to the news with one word: “Magnifique.”

France’s justice ministry confirmed Mr Johnson, whose mother was French, secured the nationality on Wednesday, after he applied in November 2021.

“This decision only regards Mr Stanley Johnson and does not extend to his descendants,” a statement said.

Mr Johnson, who is 81 and was born in Cornwall, voted to remain in the EU in the 2016 referendum, unlike his son who was a figurehead for Vote Leave and ultimately led Britain out of the bloc at the end of 2020.

Mr Johnson said: “I’m absolutely delighted.”

He joked: “Maybe I could stand for the European Parliament again for a French constituency.”

No.10 declined to discuss Mr Johnson’s new citizenship, saying it is “a personal matter for the Prime Minister’s father”.