Boris Johnson refuses to back down in language row as he says 'surrender act' remarks were 'absolutely reasonable'

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James Morris26 September 2019
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson has refused to back down in the ongoing row over the tone of political debate, saying his controversial remarks were “absolutely reasonable”.

Mr Johnson has come under intense pressure for what have been viewed as divisive remarks made in the Commons chamber. These have included calling the Benn Act aimed at preventing a no-deal Brexit the “surrender act”, and saying the best way to honour murdered MP Jo Cox is to “get Brexit done”.

But in an interview with the BBC on Thursday, Mr Johnson said: “I think it’s fair enough to call the ‘surrender act’ what it is. I think it’s absolutely reasonable.”

And he appeared to defend Wednesday’s comments about honouring Ms Cox as he said: “We do need to bring people together and get this thing done.

Boris Johnson pictured in Downing Street on Thursday
Chris Ratcliffe/Getty Images

“Tempers need to come down and people need to come together, because it’s only by getting Brexit done that you’ll actually lance the boil, as it were, of the current anxiety.”

It comes at a time of heightened political anger amid Brexit tensions and the unlawful prorogation of Parliament.

Numerous MPs have said they fear for their safety as they called for the rhetoric around Brexit to be toned down.

Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson, meanwhile, was speaking to police following threats made to one of her young children.

And in a viral Twitter thread, Ellie Cooper, the daughter of senior Labour MP Yvette Cooper, described her fears for her mother in the wake of Ms Cox's murder. She accused Mr Johnson of "using language that helps incite violence toward MPs".

In a separate BBC interview, Mr Johnson said he "totally deplored" any threats, particularly to female MPs - before again defending his use of the words "surrender act".

He said: "A lot of work is being done to stop that and give people the security that they need.

"But I do think in the House of Commons it is important I should be able to talk about the surrender bill, the surrender act, in the way that I did."

Mr Johnson was today warned by Labour MPs that he had damaged his chances of getting a new Brexit deal through the Commons with his “crass and dangerous” language.

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