A question of character? Boris Johnson by those who know him

Questions over Johnsons private life and bodily health and fitness for office have actually really lingered since he became a politician

After the Guardian reported that police were called to Boris Johnsons home after neighbours heard an altercation along along with his girlfriend Carrie Symonds, questions were again raised about the would-be Conservative leaders character.

Ever since he became a politician, there have actually really been questions over Johnsons colourful private life though he has actually really possessed as many enthusiastic cheerleaders, that argue that his flaws pale in comparison to his charismatic appeal to the public.

Johnson has actually really sought to downplay entails over his past behaviour in his couple of media appearances throughout the campaign to date, referring to one journalists question listing entails that he was untrustworthy as a splendid minestrone of observations.

But over the years, many of those that have actually really known your man well have actually really questioned his suitability for better office:

Boris, well, hes the life and soul of the party But hes not the man you like driving you estate at the end of the evening.
Cabinet minister Amber Rudd, speaking throughout a 2016 debate prior to the Brexit referendum

It is a common mistake to suppose Johnson a splendid man. In naked truth he continuously behaves unpleasantly.
Max Hastings, Johnsons editor at the Day-to-day Telegraph, in a 2018 column for the Times

[He is] considerably diminished in terms of integrity, in terms of political courage and in terms of monitor tape I maximized to believe he would certainly definitely be sweet at Number 10 But those days look an extended time ago.
2018 BBC interview along along with Guto Harri, director of communications for Johnsons mayoral administration, 2008-2012

I favorite to assistance produce a group behind Boris Johnson to make certain a politician that argued for leaving the European Union may lead us to a considerably much better future. But I have actually really come, reluctantly, to the conclusion that Boris cannot provide the leadership or produce the group for the task ahead.
Michael Gove, launching the leadership bid that derailed Johnsons attempt to come to be prime minister in 2016

[Johnson is] a man that waits to observe the means the crowd is operating after that dashes in front and says, Comply along with me.
Michael Heseltine, Wonderful Very early early morning Britain interview in 2018

The Johnsonian creed [is] that it is, in his fairly own words, acceptable, regularly desirable to lie. Surely that way has actually really been advantageous to him. But it have to come at a price.
Sonia Purnell, Johnsons biographer and one-time deputy in the Telegraphs Brussels bureau, writing after he withdrew from the leadership race in 2016

Hes lied his means along with life, hes lied his means along with politics, hes a huckster along along with a extent of charm to which I am immune. Also as being mendacious hes incompetent.
Conservative former minister Chris Patten in may interview along along with Bloomberg

Im afraid hes shown, especially throughout his interval as foreign secretary, that he doesnt have actually really the essential skills and capacity [to be leader].
Conservative MP and former attorney general Dominic Grieve in may interview along along with LBC

Hes an enormous character But not a group user And he doesnt currently understand if hes a journalist or a politician, But he does currently understand its every one of about him. The considerably a lot more he repeats simply exactly what every individual can easily effortlessly observe is not credible, the considerably a lot more his fairly own monitor tape disappears.
Former foreign office colleague Sir Alan Duncan, 2018 interview along along with the Times

The worst foreign secretary weve ever had… Disinterested and from his depth he cared nothing for our situation. Wonderful riddance.
John McKendrick, attorney total of Anguilla, bidding farewell to Johnson as foreign secretary along along with criticism of his response to the British Overseas Territorys devastation throughout Hurricane Irma in 2017

I believe he honestly believes it is churlish of us not to regard your man as an exception, one that ought to be devoid of the network of obligation which binds every individual else.
Johnsons Eton housemaster, Martin Hammond, in 1982 school report