The Lib Dem MP and former energy secretary on the lies of the Brexiteers—and how he plans to expose them
by Alex Dean / September 20, 2017 / Leave a comment
Liberal Democrat MP for Kingston and Surbiton Ed Davey. Photo: John Stillwell/PA Wire/PA Images
“Mr Johnson has betrayed his country. That’s unforgivable. People need to know what a traitor he is.”
Ed Davey, Lib Dem MP and former cabinet minister, took no prisoners in his assessment of government Brexiteers—and one Brexiteer in particular. Boris Johnson’s insistence over the weekend that Brexit will indeed free up £350m for the NHS “shows you what a despicable man he is. How anyone can think he’s fit for office is a joke.”
In an exclusive interview with Prospect, Davey continued his remarkable assault on the Foreign Secretary. “Duplicitous liar doesn’t come close to that man,” he said. “He’s held in the lowest regard of any foreign secretary of modern times, including by the countries we regard as our closest allies.”
“I’m probably doing any shred of relationship with him fatal damage,” Davey said, “but I don’t care.”
The former energy secretary paused for breath. We were downstairs in a deserted hotel bar during the Liberal Democrat Autumn conference in Bournemouth. The theme tune to Snoopy played on the hotel speakers—on repeat. The surreal atmosphere was punctured by yet another stinging accusation from Davey.
Earlier this week David Norgrove, chair of the UK statistics authority, reprimanded Johnson over his £350m figure, which he said was a misuse of the figures. An almighty row ensued. Davey suggested to me the stats body would be at risk if Johnson replaced Theresa May: “In the long term if he becomes PM I worry about the independence” of the body “because an inveterate liar like Boris Johnson won’t want to be brought up on how to count by them.” Johnson, for his part, maintains he has done no wrong.
You have now reached your limit of 3 free articles in the last 30 days.
But don't worry! You can get another 7 articles absolutely free, simply by entering your email address in the box below.
When you register we'll also send you a free e-book—Writing with punch—which includes some of the finest writing from our archive of 22 years. And we'll also send you a weekly newsletter with the best new ideas in politics and philosophy of culture, which you can of course unsubscribe from at any time
Prospect may process your personal information for our legitimate business purposes, to provide you with our newsletter, subscription offers and other relevant information.
Click to learn more about these interests and how we use your data. You will be able to object to this processing on the next page and in all our communications.
