'Apart from Brexit and lockdown, Boris was a superb and underrated PM' says LBC's Rachel Johnson

12 June 2023, 06:33

Rachel Johnson shares her thoughts on her brother resigning

By Chay Quinn

Boris Johnson was a "superb and much-underrated PM", says LBC host and his sister Rachel Johnson.

Johnson used her monologue to address the resignation of Boris on Friday, after the alleged slimming down of his honours list by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

After detailing issues with her brother's conduct in office, Rachel caveated: "On the other stuff: the vaccine rollout, levelling up, Ukraine; as I say to him myself, apart from getting Brexit and lockdown done ('cause I also didn't think lockdown) was a great idea, you have been a superb and much-underrated PM.

Remarking on Boris's career as Prime Minister, Rachel added: "So, he did it his way, but is this the final curtain? Or will it be more like Elton John's Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour (which I remind you so far has had about 300 dates): will it go on forever?

Read More: Boris and Rishi 'had secret peace summit' before shock resignation as Sir Keir claims PM has 'lost control'

Read More: 'A carousel of cronies': Angela Rayner blasts 'gaslighting' Boris following former PM's resignation honours list

"When he stood down as PM he said 'hasta la vista'. When he stood down as an MP, he said 'that's it folks, at least for now.'

"Well, I am not going to comment on whether he should come back or not.

"In my view, politics is nasty, brutish, toxic, and far too long. He is still only 58. There's still a tiger in his tank and clearly lead in his pencil."

Listen and subscribe to Rachel Johnson's Difficult Women podcast on Global Player
Listen and subscribe to Rachel Johnson's Difficult Women podcast on Global Player. Picture: LBC

Boris Johnson, Nadine Dorries and Nigel Adams stood down immediately to give Sunak a triple by-election headache earlier this week.

The triple quitting came after the Privileges Committee findings into 'partygate' were delivered to Boris - a probe which he branded a 'kangaroo court'.

Rachel remarked that she also believed the committee had overstepped and that some of their findings were "unfair".

The trio of resignations has been described by some as a targeted attempt to undermine Rishi Sunak's premiership.

It's also not expected to be the last resignation in the coming days in an apparent show of solidarity for Johnson.

58-year-old Johnson claims he is the victim of a "witch hunt" over Partygate - revelations that saw the PM accused of breaking lockdown rules and misleading the Commons.

Adams had previously said he would quit at the next General Election but followed in the footsteps of Mr Johnson and Nadine Dorries by resigning now.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Alexander Isak of Newcastle United celebrates scoring the second goal during the Carabao Cup Final match between Liverpool vs Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium, London.

Newcastle crowned Carabao Cup winners, taking home first major trophy in 70 years

Kanye West, left, and Kim Kardashian attend the WSJ. Magazine Innovator Awards on Nov. 6, 2019, in New York.

‘You’re going to have to kill me’ - Kanye leaks chilling texts with Kim after involving daughter in Diddy scandal

Pilot Mike Beaton was sacked for snorting cocaine off a passengers breasts in 2023.

British Airways pilot back in the skies after snorting drugs off woman's breasts before flight

Iran has denied backing Yemen's Houthis after the US launched airstrikes in the country's capital and Donald Trump promised to 'hold Iran accountable' for allegedly supporting the rebels.

Iran denies aiding Houthi rebels after US strikes Yemen and Trump threatens to hold Tehran 'fully accountable'

MP Rosie Duffield claimed she was 'single-handedly bullied' out of the Labour party by 'millionaire barrister' Sir Keir Starmer.

Former Labour MP claims she was 'bullied out of the party' by 'millionaire' Starmer amid 'anti-sleaze' row

Pope Francesco greets the faithful in St. Peter's Square.

Pope facing 'period of trial' as Pontif issues Sunday prayer from hospital

Former advisor to President Putin told LBC ‘Ukrainians will be thankful after we liberate them'.

Putin ally suggests Ukrainians should be 'thankful' nation is being 'bombed to bits'

A firefighter inspects a nightclub after a massive fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

Arrest warrants issued for four people as North Macedonia nightclub fire death toll rises to 59

Newcombe Road, Coventry.

One man dead and another left with 'potentially life-changing facial injuries' following Coventry double stabbing

Streeting suggests Labour discontent is ‘manufactured rebellion’ as he refuses to confirm disability benefits U-turn

Streeting suggests Labour discontent is ‘manufactured rebellion’ as he refuses to confirm disability benefits U-turn

Alice da Silva Aguiar was one of the three children killed.

Fundraiser for playground in memory of Southport victims Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King reaches £250,000

Foreign Office staff enjoyed the Nassau Yacht Club in Barbados, in January 2023, spending £920.

Civil servants splurge on Barbados yacht club trip with taxpayer-backed credit card

Met Police sued after reinstating 999 call handler who mock Sarah Everard and called rape victim a ‘slut’

Met Police sued after reinstating 999 call handler who 'mocked Sarah Everard' and called rape victim a ‘slut’

At least 50 dead after fire rips through nightclub in North Macedonia

At least 50 dead after fire rips through nightclub in North Macedonia

FILE - Britain's Prince Harry leaves after attending an Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral in London, Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

Bombshell US court ruling orders Prince Harry's visa application files be made public by Tuesday

This image made from video by NASA shows astronauts waving after the SpaceX capsule docked with the International Space Station, Sunday, March 16, 2025. Top row from left: Nick Hague, Alexander Gorbunov, Suni Williams, Alexei Ovchinin.

Over the moon: SpaceX capsule docks with ISS as stranded NASA astronauts welcome replacement crew