Boris Johnson’s Memoir “Unleashed” Sparks Controversy with Revelations and Accusations

Boris Johnson, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, is grabbing headlines once again with the release of his much-anticipated memoir, “Unleashed.” The book, which promises to offer a candid glimpse into Johnson’s tumultuous tenure at 10 Downing Street and his ascent in politics through the Brexit movement, has sparked significant interest and controversy even before its official release.

Johnson’s memoir begins with an unusual revelation about the late Queen Elizabeth II. Although details of conversations between the British monarch and the Prime Minister are typically kept confidential, Johnson claims that the Queen “had a form of bone cancer” before her death in September 2022. This disclosure marks the first instance of a prominent politician speaking publicly about the Queen’s cause of death, which was officially documented as “old age.”

In “Unleashed,” Johnson doesn’t hold back his opinions regarding his political peers. In one excerpt, he recounts a less-than-successful “manly pep talk” with Prince Harry, encouraging him to remain in the U.K. rather than relocate to America with Meghan Markle. Johnson admits the endeavor was “totally hopeless,” demonstrating his characteristic candor.

The former Prime Minister also criticizes legacy aspects of Downing Street, describing the condition he inherited from his predecessor, Theresa May, in unflattering terms. He recalls an “incident” involving wallpaper that required attention, suggesting the place “looked like a crack den.” May’s former Chief of Staff, Gavin Barwell, responded dismissively to these claims, noting Johnson’s penchant for exaggeration.

On foreign policy matters, Johnson’s memoir suggests intrigue in his dealings as Foreign Secretary. He recalls an instance where his security team purportedly discovered a listening device while conducting routine checks, a finding he notes with characteristic flair. Johnson’s narrative dubs the device-laden location as the “thunderbox,” a playful term for a lavatory.

The memoir further touches on international relations, with Johnson accusing French President Emmanuel Macron of being “a positive nuisance” and tacitly permitting irregular migrant crossings over the English Channel as a form of retribution for Brexit. Similarly, Johnson criticizes former U.S. President Barack Obama for displaying an “ancestral dislike” of the British Empire, a sentiment Johnson claims influenced Obama’s warnings against Brexit.

Johnson doesn’t spare his own party from criticism, lamenting his political downfall and attributing his ousting to Tory MPs who, in his view, were swayed by “hate storms of Twitter.” He compares the decision to remove him from office as “worse than a crime,” highlighting the former Prime Minister’s discontent with the political maneuvering that led to his exit.

Current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and other political figures such as Keir Starmer, Michael Gove, and Dominic Cummings come under fire as well, with Johnson recounting personal and political grievances stretching back to his days at Eton College and through his leadership campaigns.

Beyond political commentary, “Unleashed” features colorful anecdotes from Johnson’s personal life, including his rural neighborhood in Oxfordshire, where he humorously notes the presence of European flags as a potential provocation. Additionally, Johnson shares his disappointment over failed attempts to engage with cultural icons such as Emma Watson and Leonardo DiCaprio at various events, reflecting the broader theme of personal and professional challenges Johnson faced during his career.