Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Boris Johnson
Public opinion and media debates around Boris Johnson—discover key moments of controversy.
Boris Johnson is a British politician and writer who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2019 to 2022. Previously, he was Foreign Secretary (2016-2018) and Mayor of London (2008-2016). Johnson also served as a Member of Parliament for Henley (2001-2008) and Uxbridge and South Ruislip (2015-2023). He is known for his role in advocating for Brexit and leading the Conservative Party to a significant victory in the 2019 general election.
1936: Berlin Olympics
Johnson compared Vladimir Putin's hosting of the World Cup to Adolf Hitler's hosting of the 1936 Olympic Games.
1948: Comments on Rohingya Muslims
Johnson condemned the persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, comparing the situation with the displacement of Palestinians in 1948.
1990: Phone Conversation Between Johnson and Guppy
In 1990, Johnson and Guppy had a phone conversation, the recording of which was later made public in June 1995.
June 1995: Recording of Conversation Public
In June 1995, a recording of a 1990 telephone conversation between Johnson and Darius Guppy was made public.
1999: Allegation of Inappropriate Behavior
In 1999, journalist Charlotte Edwardes alleged that Johnson squeezed her thigh at a private lunch at The Spectator. A spokesman denied the allegation.
2000: Affair with Petronella Wyatt
Beginning in 2000, Johnson had an affair with Spectator columnist Petronella Wyatt, resulting in two abortions.
November 2004: Dismissed as vice-chairman and shadow arts minister
In November 2004, Johnson was dismissed as vice-chairman and shadow arts minister after initially denying allegations of an affair with Petronella Wyatt. The allegations were later proven true.
2004: Affair with Petronella Wyatt Ends
In 2004, Boris Johnson's affair with Spectator columnist Petronella Wyatt ended, the affair resulting in a terminated pregnancy and a miscarriage.
2004: Editorial on Liverpudlians
In 2004, Johnson published an editorial in The Spectator suggesting that Liverpudlians were wallowing in victim status and "hooked on grief" over the Hillsborough disaster.
2005: Criticism for views on Islam
In 2005, Johnson's book, The Dream of Rome, was criticized for arguing that Islam has caused the Muslim world to be centuries behind the West.
April 2006: Alleged Affair with Anna Fazackerley
In April 2006, the News of the World alleged that Boris Johnson was having an affair with Guardian journalist Anna Fazackerley.
September 2006: Controversy over Papua New Guinea comment
In September 2006, the High Commission of Papua New Guinea protested after Johnson compared the Conservatives' frequently changing leadership to cannibalism in the country.
March 2009: Pound Sterling Low
In February 2016, Johnson endorsed Vote Leave for the 2016 EU membership referendum, this announcement led to a nearly 2% slump in the pound sterling against the US dollar, reaching its lowest level since March 2009.
2012: Affair with Jennifer Arcuri Began
In 2012, Jennifer Arcuri said that she began an affair with Boris Johnson.
2015: Criticism of Donald Trump
In 2015, Johnson criticized Donald Trump's comments about no-go zones in London, calling Trump unfit for the U.S. presidency, becoming the first senior UK politician to do so.
February 2016: Endorsement of Vote Leave
In February 2016, Johnson endorsed Vote Leave for the 2016 EU membership referendum. This announcement led to a nearly 2% slump in the pound sterling against the US dollar, reaching its lowest level since March 2009.
April 2016: Obama Comments Controversy
In April 2016, Johnson suggested that President Barack Obama's "part-Kenyan" background may have shaped his views on Britain remaining in the European Union, sparking widespread condemnation for racist undertones.
September 2016: Accusations of Blocking UN Inquiry
In September 2016, human rights groups accused Johnson of blocking the UN inquiry into Saudi war crimes in Yemen.
September 2016: Visit to Turkey
Johnson's visit to Turkey in September 2016 was tense due to his previous win of an offensive poetry competition about President Erdoğan. He dismissed concerns, pledged to help Turkey join the EU, supported Erdoğan's government, and described the Gülen movement as a "cult".
December 2016: Comments on Saudi Arabia
In December 2016, Johnson attracted attention for commenting that the Saudis were akin to the Iranians in "puppeteering and playing proxy wars".
2016: Affair with Jennifer Arcuri Ends
In 2016, Jennifer Arcuri said that her affair with Boris Johnson ended.
2016: Worries about Trump Presidency
In 2016, Johnson expressed genuine worry that Donald Trump could become president, saying that being mistaken for Trump in New York was "one of the worst moments" of his life.
2016: Leave Campaign
In January 2019, Johnson came under criticism for remarks he had made during the 2016 Leave campaign regarding the prospect of Turkish accession to the European Union; he denied making such remarks.
2016: Johnson mentions Brexit referendum
On 9 June 2023, after receiving a confidential report from a committee of the House of Commons that was looking into whether he had lied to Parliament over lockdown-breaking parties, Johnson announced his resignation as MP. His resignation statement said he is "not alone in thinking that there is a witch-hunt under way, to take revenge for Brexit and ultimately to reverse the 2016 referendum result".
September 2017: Visit to British Territories and Myanmar
In September 2017, Johnson visited Anguilla and Tortola to reaffirm the UK's commitment to restoring British territories after Hurricane Irma. He was also criticised for reciting lines from Rudyard Kipling's poem Mandalay in Myanmar.
September 2017: NHS Funding Claim
In a September 2017 op-ed, Johnson reiterated the UK would regain control of £350m a week after Brexit, suggesting it go to the National Health Service (NHS), drawing criticism from cabinet colleagues.
October 2017: Sirte Comments Controversy
In October 2017, Johnson faced criticism for stating the Libyan city of Sirte could become an economic success like Dubai if they "clear the dead bodies away".
November 2017: Zaghari-Ratcliffe Controversy
In November 2017, Johnson stated that Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe had been "simply teaching people journalism", leading to criticism and subsequent clarification that his words didn't justify her sentence.
February 2018: Northern Ireland Border Comments
In February 2018, Johnson suggested that Northern Ireland may have to accept border controls after Brexit and that it would not seriously affect trade, a change from his earlier stance.
March 2018: Skripal Poisoning Comments
Following the March 2018 poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury, Johnson compared Vladimir Putin's hosting of the World Cup to Adolf Hitler's hosting of the 1936 Olympic Games.
April 2018: Visit to Lebedev's Party
In April 2018, Johnson attended a party at the Palazzo Terranova owned by Alexander Lebedev without security or documentation, leading to accusations of misleading parliament.
June 2018: Dissatisfaction with May's Brexit Negotiations
In June 2018, secret recordings revealed Johnson's dissatisfaction with Theresa May's Brexit negotiation style, accusing her of being too collaborative with the EU and suggesting a more aggressive approach.
July 2018: Telegraph Contract and ACOBA Breach
In July 2018, Johnson signed a contract to write articles for the Telegraph Media Group, which ACOBA reported was a breach of the Ministerial Code. He was later ordered to apologize for failing to declare £50,000 of earnings.
September 2018: Criticism for Brexit Comments
In September 2018, Boris Johnson received heavy criticism from senior Tories, including Alan Duncan, for comparing the UK's position to wearing a "suicide vest" in Brexit negotiations.
January 2019: Denial of Turkey Remarks
In January 2019, Johnson denied making remarks during the 2016 Leave campaign regarding the prospect of Turkish accession to the European Union, despite supporting Vote Leave's statement at the time.
January 2019: Criticism over Turkish Accession Remarks
In January 2019, Johnson faced criticism for remarks he had made during the 2016 Leave campaign regarding the prospect of Turkish accession to the European Union; he denied making such remarks.
January 2019: Brexit claim published in The Daily Telegraph
On January 6, 2019, The Daily Telegraph published an article authored by Johnson, claiming that a no-deal Brexit was preferred by the British public. The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) later ruled that claim as inaccurate.
March 2019: "Spaffed up the wall" Criticism
In March 2019, Johnson was criticized for saying that expenditure on investigating historic allegations of child abuse was money "spaffed up the wall".
April 2019: IPSO Ruling Against Brexit Claim
In April 2019, the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) ruled that a claim in a January 6, 2019 Daily Telegraph article authored by Johnson, stating that a no-deal Brexit was preferred by the British public, was inaccurate.
July 2019: Complaint Investigation into Pincher at Foreign Office
In July 2019, while Chris Pincher was at the Foreign Office, an official complaint and subsequent investigation confirmed his misconduct. Johnson was allegedly made aware of this at the time.
August 2019: Request to Prorogue Parliament
In August 2019, Boris Johnson requested the Queen to prorogue Parliament from September 10, reducing the time available to block a no-deal Brexit, which sparked significant political controversy.
September 2019: Conflict of Interest Allegations
In September 2019, it was reported that Johnson failed to declare a personal relationship with Jennifer Arcuri as a conflict of interest, after she and her company received government grants and trade mission opportunities. The matter was referred to the IOPC for potential investigation.
September 2019: Prorogation of Parliament and Legal Challenges
In September 2019, the prorogation of Parliament began on September 10, leading to widespread protests and legal challenges. On September 24, the Supreme Court ruled the prorogation unlawful.
November 2019: IOPC Report Delay
In November 2019, it was revealed that the IOPC would publish its report regarding Johnson's relationship with Jennifer Arcuri after the general election on December 12.
February 2020: Complaint Investigation into Pincher at Foreign Office
In February 2020, while Chris Pincher was at the Foreign Office, an official complaint and subsequent investigation confirmed his misconduct. Johnson was allegedly made aware of this at the time.
March 2020: Dominic Cummings' Trip to Durham
In March 2020, Dominic Cummings made a trip with his family to Durham during the lockdown while experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, leading to widespread calls for his resignation and a loss of confidence in the government.
March 2020: Shaking Hands with COVID-19 Patients and Lockdown
In March 2020, Johnson claimed to have shaken hands with COVID-19 patients, despite SAGE advice against physical contact. On March 23, a COVID-19 lockdown was imposed throughout the UK.
May 2020: Dominic Cummings' Trip to Durham
In May 2020, a scandal erupted involving Johnson's advisor Dominic Cummings, who traveled to Durham during the March 2020 lockdown while experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, leading to widespread calls for his resignation and a loss of confidence in the government.
May 2020: IOPC Report Released
In May 2020, the IOPC issued its report, finding evidence that Johnson's close relationship with Jennifer Arcuri influenced decisions and that he should have declared an interest, potentially breaching the London Assembly's code of conduct.
May 2020: Downing Street Party During Lockdown
On May 20, 2020, during the first lockdown, a planned party took place at Downing Street, according to an ITV News report from January 2022. An email invited staff to "socially distanced drinks." Two eyewitnesses later alleged that Johnson and Symonds attended, contradicting Johnson's December 2021 statement that there were "no parties."
June 2020: Potential breaches of COVID regulations investigated
In May 2023, Johnson was referred to the police by the Cabinet Office regarding previously unknown potential breaches of COVID regulations between June 2020 and May 2021, to which Johnson's office issued a statement criticising the "unfounded suggestions" which "has all the hallmarks of yet another politically motivated stitch-up".
October 2020: Criticism of Test and Trace System
In October 2020, Johnson conceded that the UK's test and trace system, including the contact tracing app, had caused "frustrations" due to their cost and operational issues.
October 2020: Second National Lockdown
In October 2020, Johnson reportedly resisted calls for a second lockdown. The government enacted a second national lockdown on October 31.
2020: Peerage Controversy
In 2020, Johnson granted a peerage to Evgeny Lebedev against MI6 advice, leading to criticism over potential security concerns.
2020: Downing Street Christmas Party Allegations
In December 2021, reports surfaced alleging that social gatherings occurred at Downing Street ahead of Christmas 2020, violating COVID-19 regulations. Boris Johnson initially denied these allegations, but later apologized for a leaked video showing staff joking about a "fictional party" and ordered an inquiry.
January 2021: Third Lockdown and High Death Toll
In January 2021, a third lockdown was introduced in England. The UK passed 100,000 deaths from COVID-19, with Johnson taking "full responsibility".
January 2021: Criticism of COVID-19 Response
By January 2021, the UK's high death toll from COVID-19 led to criticism of Johnson's early non-attendance of COBR briefings and the government's failure to prepare for and control the outbreak.
April 2021: Downing Street Refurbishment Controversy
In April 2021, Dominic Cummings alleged Boris Johnson arranged for donors to secretly fund the Downing Street flat renovation. On April 27, Johnson asked Simon Case to review the refurbishment, and on April 28, the Electoral Commission launched a formal investigation. Johnson denied breaking any laws, stating he personally paid for the refurbishment.
April 2021: Denial of 'Let the bodies pile high' Allegations
In April 2021, Johnson denied allegations that he had said he would rather "let the bodies pile high in their thousands" on October 30, 2020.
May 2021: Potential breaches of COVID regulations investigated
In May 2023, Johnson was referred to the police by the Cabinet Office regarding previously unknown potential breaches of COVID regulations between June 2020 and May 2021, to which Johnson's office issued a statement criticising the "unfounded suggestions" which "has all the hallmarks of yet another politically motivated stitch-up".
July 2021: Lifting of Public Health Restrictions
In July 2021, Johnson announced that most generalised public health restrictions in England would be lifted and replaced by recommendations, despite an increase in cases due to the Delta variant.
September 2021: Controversy over Maskless Cabinet Meeting
In September 2021, Johnson was pictured in a cabinet meeting without masks, contradicting government advice.
November 2021: Owen Paterson Suspension and Resignation
In November 2021, Boris Johnson supported a motion to block the suspension of Owen Paterson, who was found to have abused his position. Following backlash, a new vote was scheduled, and Paterson resigned. The subsequent by-election saw a significant Conservative majority overturned.
December 2021: "Plan B" Restrictions and Conservative Rebellion
In December 2021, "Plan B" restrictions were introduced in England due to the Omicron variant, facing the largest rebellion of Conservative MPs during Johnson's premiership.
December 2021: Denial of Downing Street Parties
In December 2021, Johnson insisted there were 'no parties' at Downing Street, a claim that was later contradicted by evidence of a party on May 20, 2020, during the first lockdown.
December 2021: Downing Street Christmas Party Allegations
In December 2021, reports surfaced alleging that social gatherings occurred at Downing Street in December 2020, violating COVID-19 regulations. Boris Johnson initially denied these allegations, but later apologized for a leaked video showing staff joking about a "fictional party" and ordered an inquiry.
January 2022: Downing Street Party Allegations
In January 2022, ITV News reported a party occurred on May 20, 2020, during the first lockdown, with Johnson and Symonds allegedly attending. This contradicted Johnson's December 2021 claim of "no parties".
January 2022: False Claim About Starmer and Jimmy Savile
In January 2022, Johnson falsely blamed Keir Starmer for the non-prosecution of Jimmy Savile during Starmer's tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions. Johnson later defended his comments but conceded Starmer had no personal involvement.
January 2022: Apology for Downing Street Garden Event
On January 12, 2022, Boris Johnson apologized to MPs for attending an event in the Downing Street garden during the first lockdown, claiming he believed it was a work event. He urged MPs to await the Sue Gray inquiry's outcome, but faced calls for his resignation.
April 2022: Fixed Penalty Notice for Lockdown Breach
In April 2022, Boris Johnson received a fixed penalty notice for breaching COVID-19 lockdown regulations, becoming the first sitting British Prime Minister to be sanctioned for breaking the law.
April 2022: Issued Fixed Penalty Notice in Partygate Scandal
In April 2022, Boris Johnson was issued with a fixed penalty notice for breaching COVID-19 social distancing laws during the Partygate scandal.
May 2022: Johnson drafts changes to Northern Ireland Protocol
In May 2022, Johnson prepared a draft to unilaterally alter aspects of the Northern Ireland Protocol, citing concerns over medical supplies and VAT reductions. The EU rejected the idea of amending the treaty.
May 2022: Sue Gray Report Published
In May 2022, the Sue Gray report was published, contributing to dissatisfaction with Johnson's leadership.
June 2022: Pincher Resigns as Deputy Chief Whip
On June 30, 2022, Chris Pincher resigned as Government Deputy Chief Whip, admitting he had "drunk far too much" and "embarrassed myself and other people" at the Carlton Club. He was later suspended as an MP following allegations of sexual assault.
July 2022: Resigned as Prime Minister
In July 2022, Boris Johnson announced his resignation as prime minister following revelations over the Chris Pincher scandal.
July 2022: Allegations Against Chris Pincher Emerge
In July 2022, six new allegations against Chris Pincher surfaced, detailing behavior over a decade. This followed Pincher's resignation as Deputy Chief Whip on June 30, 2022, after he admitted to misconduct.
2022: Rwanda Asylum Deal Introduced
In 2022, Johnson's government introduced an asylum deal to send people entering the UK illegally to Rwanda.
2022: Publication of Prime Minister's Resignation Honours
In June 2023, the publication of Johnson's 2022 Prime Minister's Resignation Honours led to a public feud with Sunak. Johnson supporter Nadine Dorries announced that she was resigning as an MP due to not being included as a peer on the honours list.
March 2023: Privileges Committee Interim Report
In March 2023, an interim report from the Commons Select Committee of Privileges indicated that there was evidence that 'strongly suggests' breaches of coronavirus regulations would have been 'obvious' to Johnson and that he may have misled Parliament.
May 2023: Johnson referred to police for potential breaches of COVID regulations
In May 2023, the Cabinet Office referred Johnson to the police regarding potential breaches of COVID regulations, leading Johnson's office to criticize the "unfounded suggestions" as politically motivated.
June 2023: Resigned as MP after Investigation
In June 2023, Boris Johnson resigned as MP after receiving the draft of the Commons Privileges Committee investigation into his conduct.
June 2023: Trip Details Revealed
In June 2023, it was revealed that Lord Simon McDonald was unaware of Johnson's trip to Lebedev's party in April 2018, adding to the controversy.
June 2023: Resignation Honours list and MP resignation
In June 2023, the publication of Johnson's 2022 Prime Minister's Resignation Honours led to a public feud with Sunak. On 9 June 2023, Johnson announced his resignation as MP after receiving a confidential report about whether he had lied to Parliament over lockdown-breaking parties.
May 2024: Johnson turned away from polling station
On 2 May 2024 Johnson was turned away from his polling station for the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, after forgetting to bring valid photographic identification, a requirement of the Elections Act, which Johnson introduced while in office. During the 2024 general election, Johnson campaigned for the Conservatives, who lost the election in a landslide to Labour.
