GMB host Susanna Reid was left stunned as ex-Tory MEP said Boris Johnson should become party chairman – claiming he was “set up” over Partygate.
David Campbell Bannerman claimed Mr Johnson “doesn’t even like partying” as he blamed the shamed former PM’s staff for his downfall. Mr Bannerman, who the chairs Conservative Democratic Organisation, said that following last week’s disastrous local election showing Mr Johnson should be brought back into the cabinet under a new leader.
Ms Reid was visibility incredulous as the rebel Tory, one of Rishi Sunak’s biggest critics, claimed the ex-Prime Minister had been treated in an “outrageous” way. Mr Johnson quit as an MP last year after a cross-party investigation found he’d misled Parliament over social events in No10.
Mr Bannerman said this shouldn’t hold him back, stating: “He can be part of a team under a new leader, and I would make him party chairman, give him a seat in cabinet, set him up with a seat for next time so he can come back in the future.”
When Ms Reid asked about the Partygate scandal, Mr Bannerman said: “It was set up.” Asked who set Mr Johnson up, he said: “By his own staff, by briefing against him. I mean, it is outrageous what was going on.”
The GMB host was having none of it, telling him: “But Boris Johnson was in charge during lockdown – legislation he introduced and then proceeded to have a whole load of social events and a breach of rules in number ten Downing Street. In what way was that a set up?”
Mr Bannerman claimed it was “complex”, to which Ms Reid responded: “It’s not very complex, it really isn’t very complex.” The Tory rebel then said: “Boris doesn’t like partying.”
He went on to say he believed Mr Johnson would have won if he had to re-stand for election after being suspended. But he called on Tory bosses to bring the former leader back into the fold, stating: “I think he will be back. But this is a way to do it. Make him party chairman, get him back in the cabinet.“