Boris Johnson: Sunak’s ‘talking rubbish’ – I didn’t ask PM to bend honours rules
The IndependentSign 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. However, Mr Johnson threatened just that on Monday, telling The Express newspaper: “As the great Arnold Schwarzenegger said, I’ll be back.” The rancour between Mr Sunak and Mr Johnson descended into a public slanging match on Monday when the PM claimed the former Tory leader has asked him to bend the rules over peerages – “something I was not prepared to do”. But a furious Mr Johnson hit back, saying: “Rishi Sunak is talking rubbish” – adding that he had asked the PM to make sure the Lords’ authorities “renew their vetting”. Thank goodness.” open image in gallery Boris Johnson accuses Rishi Sunak of ‘talking rubbish’ Another senior Tory said they expected the report to be the end of his political career. “To honour these peerages it was not necessary to overrule Holac – but simply to ask them to renew their vetting, which was a mere formality.” open image in gallery Michael Gove says Johnson’s parliamentary career has ‘ended’ Former Tory leader Michael Howard – also a former Holac member – suggested Mr Johnson was lying about his recent conversation with Mr Sunak.