‘Traitor’: Boris Johnson is heckled as he visits town devastated by flooding

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Mr Johnson had previously been accused of being a “part-time PM” after deciding not to visit a number of towns and villages across Wales and England that were affected by the wettest February on record. At least one onlooker shouted “traitor” at Mr Johnson, who was It comes after Mr Johnson was repeatedly admonished for failing to visit those who had been flooded out of their homes, despite doing so on the campaign trail in November when he met with angry residents of the Yorkshire village of Fishlake. Labelling Mr Johnson a PM who “often goes awol”, the opposition leader added: “Does the prime minister agree with the Conservative leader of Derbyshire county council that he’s turned his back on the people affected by the floods?” Mr Johnson insisted there had been “constant stream of ministerial activity”, later telling ITV’s This Morning: “ said to us: ‘All you’ll do is distract us and disrupt the business of helping people with the immediate crisis.’ “So what I was doing was directing operations … Obviously, I’m working around the clock on various things, as indeed is the government.” Speaking on the banks of the Severn where he viewed flood defences, he added that his presence could hamper efforts to help people. Mr Johnson said he had discussed “the business case” for putting in permanent flood defences while speaking with the Environment Agency during his visit.