SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford has demanded the release of a recording allegedly obtained by the Guardian newspaper which depicts the late-night bust up between Boris Johnson and his partner Carrie Symonds.
Speaking exclusively to the Sunday National, Blackford argued that the release of the tape would be in the public interest given the fact that the country faces the possibility of Johnson as prime minister. It is alleged that Symonds was heard telling the Conservative MP to “get off me” and “get out of my flat” in the recording. Police said that there was “no cause for action”.
Yet Blackford claimed Johnson should face proper scrutiny and that the combined House of Commons must consider a no-confidence motion if the former foreign secretary is elected.
“These allegations are in the public domain,” Blackford said. “We don’t know what happened in his girlfriend’s home but if the Guardian do have a transcript then I would argue that, in the circumstances of Boris Johnson putting himself forward to be prime minister and given the seriousness of what has been alleged, that it is in the public interest that this is given an airing.”
READ MORE: Double trouble: The startling similarities between Johnson and Trump
The MP for Skye and Lochaber is one of a growing number of senior figures who believe Johnson is not fit to be prime minister, claiming “words and actions fully demonstrate he is nowhere near fit for the highest office in the land”.
Leading Scottish psychologist Dr Mairead Tagg said the allegations must be taken seriously. “Violence against women is such a major issue – domestic abuse affects so many women – and we cannot have a prime minister that normalises that kind of behaviour,” she said.
“I think Boris Johnson gives a lot of cause for concerns, whether that’s his disrespectful comments about other ethnicities or women, his infidelities and now this report of an incident in his partner’s house. It all speaks to someone who is self-obsessed, who has a sense of entitlement. His behaviour concerns me deeply.”
She said the reports, combined with footage showing Tory MP Mark Field grabbing an activist by the neck at a black tie dinner and Conservative whips launching an inquiry into allegedly abusive Whatsapp messages sent to MP Antoinette Sandbach by a male colleague – all within 24 hours – suggested deep-seated misogyny in the party. The most recent figures suggest seven out of 10 members are male.
READ MORE: PM sacks Tory MP Mark Field for grabbing protester by neck
“The normalisation of gender-based violence here is frankly terrifying. These men clearly have no respect for anybody and they think that bullying and coercion is acceptable,” she added.
Last week, Blackford called Johnson “racist” at PMQs, highlighting comments he has made about Muslims, Africans and Scots, and feels that it is now more important than ever to hold the Tory frontrunner to account. “We are now in a situation where a PM is, in effect, going to be appointed by Tory members,” he said.
“The Commons should reflect very carefully on whether or not there should be a proposition of a no confidence motion in Boris Johnson if he is elected prime minster,” he added.
“I fear for people throughout the UK who face the prospect of this man being imposed upon them. He is completely unfit for office.”
But Blackford pointed out Scotland has a clear alternative. “We need to have the debate about Scotland’s future and we are lucky that we can take our own choices and choose our own future as an independent Scotland,” he said.
At Tory hustings yesterday, Johnson refused to answer questions about his private life, claiming people didn’t “want to hear” about it.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel