Boris Johnson and King Charles had a showdown over the federal government’s plan to deport migrants to Rwanda – with the then-prime minister “primarily squaring up” to the monarch.
Guto Harri, who was No 10’s director of communications within the canine days of the Johnson premiership, claimed his former boss instructed him he “went in fairly onerous” on Charles, who was nonetheless Prince of Wales when the confrontation occurred in June. The long run king had branded the asylum coverage “appalling”, it has been alleged.
Johnson disputed his long-standing ally’s account as “inaccurate”, with a supply saying he “deplores” any commentary on conversations with royals.
Charles and Johnson mentioned the King’s reported criticism of the scheme as they met in Rwanda’s capital of Kigali at a Commonwealth summit.
On the time, Johnson described his dialogue with Charles as a “good outdated chinwag” that “lined a variety of floor”.
Writing within the Day by day Mail, Harri says that the assembly was “much less amicable” than urged.
The previous BBC journalist wrote: “‘I went in fairly onerous’, he instructed me on the time, primarily squaring as much as the prince and confronting him about what he – as unelected royalty – had stated concerning the actions of a democratically elected authorities.
“Prince Charles was busted. He had clearly expressed some criticism, and although he tried to play it down, Boris identified the apparent, (saying): ‘In case you didn’t say it we each know your individuals may ring the newspapers and kill the story. The actual fact they haven’t carried out that claims all of it’.”
The UK authorities’s plan – unveiled in April final yr – includes “offshoring” the processing of asylum seekers 1000’s of miles away in Rwanda.
No asylum seekers have to this point been despatched to Rwanda after the European Courtroom of Human Rights blocked the primary deportation flight final June.
Nonetheless, the Excessive Courtroom dominated in December that the coverage is authorized.
Together with different former prime ministers, Johnson’s attended the King’s coronation on the weekend.
Harri claimed Charles and Johnson had struggled to get on for years after the politician was late for a gathering whereas London mayor, however that Rwanda was the ultimate straw.
“Relations by no means absolutely recovered and Charles will probably be relieved that Boris had left No 10 earlier than he ascended to the throne,” he added.
Johnson introduced Harri into No 10 after a clearout of aides over the partygate scandal, bringing again his former Metropolis Corridor communications adviser into his inside circle.
A supply near Johnson stated: “Boris Johnson doesn’t recognise this account and it’s inaccurate. It doesn’t precisely mirror any dialog
“We’d by no means touch upon these issues and Mr Johnson deplores any try to take action.”
