Former PM John Major launches stinging attack on Boris Johnson
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Former Tory prime minister Sir John Major has launched a stinging attack on Boris Johnson and his inner circle, calling his chief adviser a “political anarchist”.
Speaking in Glasgow on Thursday evening, Sir John denounced the prime minister’s suspension of parliament and the sacking of 21 Tory rebels who voted against the government.
He described the prime minister’s adviser Dominic Cummings as a “political anarchist, who cares not a fig for the future of the party I have served all my life”.
“I offer the prime minister some friendly advice: get rid of these advisers before they poison the political atmosphere beyond repair. And do it quickly,” he said.
He also criticised a climate of “aggressive bullying” within Westminster.
Commenting on the decision to prorogue parliament, Major said “I cannot believe any previous prime minister – from Pitt, to Disraeli, to Churchill, to Thatcher – would have even contemplated such an action.”
Sir John has joined a legal challenge mounted by anti-Brexit campaigner Gina Miller against Boris Johnson’s decision to prorogue parliament.
Lawyers representing Ms Miller say the prorogation is in breach of parliamentary sovereignty and the five-week suspension is of “exceptional length”.
But critics accused Sir John of hypocrisy, given the fact that he prorogued parliament ahead of the 1997 general election, which stopped a report on the cash for questions scandal being considered by MPs.
