Theresa May gives Boris Johnson short shrift over his ‘suicide belt’ jibe
The ex-Foreign Secretary caused uproar with his latest attack on the PM's Chequers proposal on Brexit - but Mrs May's spokesman said he wouldn't give it 'further oxygen'
THERESA MAY savaged Boris Johnson over his suicide belt taunt yesterday - as Tories lined up to attack the ex-Foreign Secretary.
Mr Johnson sparked uproar on Sunday by saying the PM had wrapped Britain in a “suicide belt” in Brexit negotiations in a newspaper article.
Yesterday the PM’s official spokesman said it was not the language she would use.
And he said: “Beyond that I don’t propose to give this article any further oxygen.”
The attack came after 12 Tories said they would quit the party to stop Boris Johnson becoming leader.
Challenged yesterday about the row, Justice Secretary David Gauke said he was not a “natural supporter” of the Tory big-hitter.
And he said that rather than slamming the PM’s Chequers proposal on Brexit he should offer up a vision of his own.
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Mr Gauke said: “If the critics of the Chequers proposal have got an alternative I think they should make it. But we are not hearing that – and we have certainly not heard that from Boris.”
Ex Cabinet Minister Nicky Morgan said she wouldn’t serve under him.
But she admitted – as a Remain campaigner – she was very unlikely to be asked.
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