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Boris Johnson defended his right to “speak out” over articles he wrote as a journalist which compared veiled Muslim women to “letterboxes” and referred to “watermelon smiles”, “flag-waving piccaninnies” and “tank-topped bum boys”.
The Prime Minister was forced to defend his past work during the leader’s special on BBC Question Time on Friday evening.
An audience member asked him: “Racist rhetoric is completely rife in this country, will you admit that you have personally contributed to this, and say the words, I’m sorry.”
Mr Johnson replied: “I have written many millions of words in my life as a journalist and I have… genuinely never intended to cause hurt or pain to anybody and that is my intention.
“What I will say because I think you are referring to a particular article of a year or so ago.”
Host Fiona Bruce stepped in to say: “To be fair, there’s a few articles. So there’s the Muslims going around looking like letterboxes, which was last year, you referred to tribal warriors with watermelon smiles and flag-waving pickaninnies and then just to get another demographic in, tank-topped bum boys.”
The Prime Minister replied: “If you go through all my articles with a fine-tooth comb and take out individual phrases there is no doubt that you can find things that can be made to seem offensive and of course I understand that.”
General Election 2019 – In pictures
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson with Health Secretary Matt Hancock during a visit to Bassetlaw District General Hospital in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, while on the campaign trail for the General Election
PA
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Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson on a cherry picker during a visit to an eco home building site whilst on the General Election campaign trail in Sheffield
PA
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Labour Manifesto launch
Jeremy Selwyn
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Nigel Farage visits the Brook pie and mash shop in Dagenham
Lucy Young
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to David Wilson Homes in Bedford while on the campaign trail for the General Election
PA
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Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn during a visit to The Oatcake Boat owned by Kay Mundy, in Stoke-on-Trent, while on the General Election campaign trai
PA
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Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn decorates a plate during a visit to a pottery manufacturer in Stoke-on-Trent while on the General Election campaign trail.
PA
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Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson wears a construction helmet reading “Prime Minister” during a visit to Wilton Engineering Services, part of a General Election campaign trail stop in Middlesbrough
Reuters
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Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson runs to his campaign bus after a general election campaign visit to Wilton Engineering Services, in Middlesbrough
AFP via Getty Images
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Liberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson during a visit to Trumpington Park Primary School, in Cambridge, whilst campaigning for the General Electio
PA
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Jeremy Corbyn reacts during the election head-to-head debate live on TV
AP
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds part of the door of a washing machine during a visit to Ebac electrical appliances manufacturer during a General Election campaign trail stop
Getty Images
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Leader of the Brexit Party Nigel Farage talks to a during a walkabout with PPC candidate Mike Greene as part of a general election campaign event in Peterborough
Reuters
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Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid during a visit to Nanaksar Gurdwara in Coventry while on the campaign trail ahead of the General Election
PA
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Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon reacts during a general election campaign visit to Perthshire Preserves in Stirling
AFP via Getty Images
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Michael Gove and Andrew Gwynne during an interview at tonight’s debate in the ‘Spin Room’ ahead of general election
via Reuters
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a ‘Made In Britain’ sign he took off the packaging of a washing machine during a visit to Ebac electrical appliances manufacturer during a General Election campaign trail stop
Getty Images
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Leader of the Brexit Party Nigel Farage holds a pint during general election campaign event in Peterborough
Reuters
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Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid during a visit to Nanaksar Gurdwara in Coventry while on the campaign trail ahead of the General Election
PA
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to Jimmy Egan’s Boxing Academy at Wythenshawe, while on the campaign trail ahead of the General Election
PA
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Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson eats a candy stick which reads “Back Boris” during a General Election campaign trail stop at Coronation Candy in Blackpool,
AP
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Britain’s Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson makes a pizza with chef Leonardo Mastrofilippo at Cafe Amisha during her general election campaign tour in London
Reuters
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Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage looks out from a window on the Kestrel crabbing boat in Grimsby fish dock during General Election campaigning
PA
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to West Monkton CEVC Primary School in Bathpool, Taunton
PA
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Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon (R) holds a baby as she campaigns with SNP candidate Catriona MacDonald
AFP via Getty Images
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Jo Swinson at Total Boxer
Jeremy Selwyn
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Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson during a visit to the Gurdwara Singh Sabha Temple in Glasgow
PA
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Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a gift card with an image mocking him, during a General Election campaign trail stop in Wells
AP
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Nigel Farage holds a fish during a stop at the Grimsby Seafood Village during General Election campaigning
PA
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Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson steers a tug boat during a General Election campaign stop in the port of Bristol,
AP
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Nigel Farage takes a mouthful of homemade cheesecake during a stop at the Grimsby Seafood Village during General Election campaigning
PA
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds Rosie the rabbit during a visit to a primary school in Taunton
AFP via Getty Images
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Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage wears boxing gloves as he poses with British boxer Dereck Chisora, during his visit to Gator ABC Boxing Club in Ilford
AFP via Getty Images
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Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn tries a scone in Bentley, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, during General Election campaigning
PA
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Mayor of London Sadiq Khan practices with a sparing partner Tyler Brindle as he visits a community boxing gym in London
Reuters
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson, drinks from a pint watched by Defence Minister Johnny Mercer (right) as he meets with military veterans at the Lych Gate Tavern in Wolverhampton
PA
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson talks with a local woman pushing a wheelbarrow
PA
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Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage attends a general election campaign event in Sedgefield
Reuters
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SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon during a visit to The Shed, a Climate Challenge community project at North Edinburgh Arts
PA
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Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn during a visit to the Heart of Scotstoun Community Centre in Glasgow
PA
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Britain’ Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a baby as he meets with supporters at the Lych Gate Tavern in Wolverhampton
AP
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Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon visits Blosson Tree children’s nursery
AFP via Getty Images
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Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn laughs during a visit to the Scrap Creative Reuse Arts Project, Sunny Bank Mills, The Spinning Mill in Leeds
Getty Images
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Liberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson eats a marshmallow during a visit to Free Rangers Nursery while on the General Election campaign trail in Midsomer Norton
PA
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson helps with the clean up at an opticians as he visits Matlock in Sheffield
Getty Images
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Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn unveils the Labour battle bus while on the General Election campaign trail in Liverpool
PA
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Brexit party leader Nigel Farage eats fish and chips from Whitehaven Fish Bar Takeaway Restaurant during a walkabout after attending an election campaign even
Getty Images
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Leader of the Liberal Democrats Jo Swinson attends an election campaign event in Golders Green
Getty Images
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Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson moves a pallet of chocolate biscuits in a -25 degree celsius storage unit during a general election campaign visit to the headquarters of Iceland Foods in Deeside, northeast Wales
AFP via Getty Images
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson tries his hand at making an Antony Gormley inspired clay figure during an arts class whilst visiting the George Spencer Academy in Nottingham, while on the General Election campaign trail around the country
PA
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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon eats a cupcake during a visit to a bakery whilst on the election campaign trail in Alloa
PA
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Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson helps quality control staff during a general election campaign visit to the Tayto Castle crisp factory in County Armagh, Northern Ireland
Reuters
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Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage during a visit to Bolsover Boxing Club near Chesterfield in Derbyshire
PA
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the campaign trail on Thursday
PA
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Britain’s opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn delivers a speech during their election campaign event on Brexit in Harlow
AP
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Boris Johnson at Downing Street
Jeremy Selwyn
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Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie (right) and party General Election campaign chairman Alex Cole-Hamilton on the General Election campaign trail in Blackhall, Edinburgh
PA
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Carrie Symonds shares a picture of Dilyn the dog ready for the General Election
@carriesymonds
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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon holds a guitar as she visits Dalkeith Community Hub with Owen Thompson, SNP election candidate for Midlothian
Getty Images
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Boris Johnson speaks to staff at the East Midlands and East of England Genomic Laboratory Hub, in Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge
Reuters
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Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson during a visit to Sigma Pharmaceuticals in North Watford
PA
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Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street on route to Buckingham Palace ahead of an audience with Queen Elizabeth II and the formal start of the General Election
AP
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Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage addresses supporters at the Washington Central Hotel in Workington
PA
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Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage stops for a pint of beer with the party’s candidate for Ashfield Martin Daubney (right) during a campaigning stop in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
PA
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Brexit Party chairman Richard Tice poses as he wears boxing gloves at a general election campaign event at Bolsover Boxing Club in Chesterfield
Reuters
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Jeremy Corbyn kisses Emily Thornbury’s hand in Battersea
Jeremy Selwyn
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Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson takes a selfie as she appears on BBCC’s The Andrew Marr Show
BBC/AFP via Getty Images
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Jeremy Corbyn prepares to launch the Labour Party’s election campaign in south London
AFP via Getty Images
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SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon helps to serve soup during a visit to the Lochside Community Centre in Dumfries, to meet voters and activists while on the General Election campaign.
PA
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Nigel Farage at the Brexit Party’s election campaign launch
AP
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Boris Johnson looks at old photographs of London with students at Abbots Green Primary Academy in Bury St Edmunds
Getty Images
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Nigel Farage on The Andrew Marr Show
BBC/AFP via Getty Images
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SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has a coffee in Cafe Gelato, Rutherglen
PA
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Jacob Rees-Mogg arrives at Downing Street in London
Reuters
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Jeremy Corbyn meeting the party faithful during a rally while on the campaign trail in Swindon
PA
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Larry the cat walks outside Downing Street
Reuters
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Boris Johnson as he leaves 10 Downing Street
AFP via Getty Images
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Nigel Farage gives the thumbs up
PA
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Jeremy Corbyn takes a selfie while on the General Election campaign trail in Milton Keynes
PA
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Government advisor Dominic Cummings walks along Whitehall on his way to Downing Street wearing a bulldog clip
Getty Images
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson with Health Secretary Matt Hancock during a visit to Bassetlaw District General Hospital in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, while on the campaign trail for the General Election
PA
2/80
Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson on a cherry picker during a visit to an eco home building site whilst on the General Election campaign trail in Sheffield
PA
3/80
Labour Manifesto launch
Jeremy Selwyn
4/80
Nigel Farage visits the Brook pie and mash shop in Dagenham
Lucy Young
5/80
Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to David Wilson Homes in Bedford while on the campaign trail for the General Election
PA
6/80
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn during a visit to The Oatcake Boat owned by Kay Mundy, in Stoke-on-Trent, while on the General Election campaign trai
PA
7/80
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn decorates a plate during a visit to a pottery manufacturer in Stoke-on-Trent while on the General Election campaign trail.
PA
8/80
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson wears a construction helmet reading “Prime Minister” during a visit to Wilton Engineering Services, part of a General Election campaign trail stop in Middlesbrough
Reuters
9/80
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson runs to his campaign bus after a general election campaign visit to Wilton Engineering Services, in Middlesbrough
AFP via Getty Images
10/80
Liberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson during a visit to Trumpington Park Primary School, in Cambridge, whilst campaigning for the General Electio
PA
11/80
Jeremy Corbyn reacts during the election head-to-head debate live on TV
AP
12/80
Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds part of the door of a washing machine during a visit to Ebac electrical appliances manufacturer during a General Election campaign trail stop
Getty Images
13/80
Leader of the Brexit Party Nigel Farage talks to a during a walkabout with PPC candidate Mike Greene as part of a general election campaign event in Peterborough
Reuters
14/80
Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid during a visit to Nanaksar Gurdwara in Coventry while on the campaign trail ahead of the General Election
PA
15/80
Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon reacts during a general election campaign visit to Perthshire Preserves in Stirling
AFP via Getty Images
16/80
Michael Gove and Andrew Gwynne during an interview at tonight’s debate in the ‘Spin Room’ ahead of general election
via Reuters
17/80
Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a ‘Made In Britain’ sign he took off the packaging of a washing machine during a visit to Ebac electrical appliances manufacturer during a General Election campaign trail stop
Getty Images
18/80
Leader of the Brexit Party Nigel Farage holds a pint during general election campaign event in Peterborough
Reuters
19/80
Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid during a visit to Nanaksar Gurdwara in Coventry while on the campaign trail ahead of the General Election
PA
20/80
Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to Jimmy Egan’s Boxing Academy at Wythenshawe, while on the campaign trail ahead of the General Election
PA
21/80
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson eats a candy stick which reads “Back Boris” during a General Election campaign trail stop at Coronation Candy in Blackpool,
AP
22/80
Britain’s Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson makes a pizza with chef Leonardo Mastrofilippo at Cafe Amisha during her general election campaign tour in London
Reuters
23/80
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage looks out from a window on the Kestrel crabbing boat in Grimsby fish dock during General Election campaigning
PA
24/80
Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to West Monkton CEVC Primary School in Bathpool, Taunton
PA
25/80
Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon (R) holds a baby as she campaigns with SNP candidate Catriona MacDonald
AFP via Getty Images
26/80
Jo Swinson at Total Boxer
Jeremy Selwyn
27/80
Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson during a visit to the Gurdwara Singh Sabha Temple in Glasgow
PA
28/80
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a gift card with an image mocking him, during a General Election campaign trail stop in Wells
AP
29/80
Nigel Farage holds a fish during a stop at the Grimsby Seafood Village during General Election campaigning
PA
30/80
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson steers a tug boat during a General Election campaign stop in the port of Bristol,
AP
31/80
Nigel Farage takes a mouthful of homemade cheesecake during a stop at the Grimsby Seafood Village during General Election campaigning
PA
32/80
Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds Rosie the rabbit during a visit to a primary school in Taunton
AFP via Getty Images
33/80
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage wears boxing gloves as he poses with British boxer Dereck Chisora, during his visit to Gator ABC Boxing Club in Ilford
AFP via Getty Images
34/80
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn tries a scone in Bentley, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, during General Election campaigning
PA
35/80
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan practices with a sparing partner Tyler Brindle as he visits a community boxing gym in London
Reuters
36/80
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, drinks from a pint watched by Defence Minister Johnny Mercer (right) as he meets with military veterans at the Lych Gate Tavern in Wolverhampton
PA
37/80
Prime Minister Boris Johnson talks with a local woman pushing a wheelbarrow
PA
38/80
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage attends a general election campaign event in Sedgefield
Reuters
39/80
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon during a visit to The Shed, a Climate Challenge community project at North Edinburgh Arts
PA
40/80
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn during a visit to the Heart of Scotstoun Community Centre in Glasgow
PA
41/80
Britain’ Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a baby as he meets with supporters at the Lych Gate Tavern in Wolverhampton
AP
42/80
Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon visits Blosson Tree children’s nursery
AFP via Getty Images
43/80
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn laughs during a visit to the Scrap Creative Reuse Arts Project, Sunny Bank Mills, The Spinning Mill in Leeds
Getty Images
44/80
Liberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson eats a marshmallow during a visit to Free Rangers Nursery while on the General Election campaign trail in Midsomer Norton
PA
45/80
Prime Minister Boris Johnson helps with the clean up at an opticians as he visits Matlock in Sheffield
Getty Images
46/80
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn unveils the Labour battle bus while on the General Election campaign trail in Liverpool
PA
47/80
Brexit party leader Nigel Farage eats fish and chips from Whitehaven Fish Bar Takeaway Restaurant during a walkabout after attending an election campaign even
Getty Images
48/80
Leader of the Liberal Democrats Jo Swinson attends an election campaign event in Golders Green
Getty Images
49/80
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson moves a pallet of chocolate biscuits in a -25 degree celsius storage unit during a general election campaign visit to the headquarters of Iceland Foods in Deeside, northeast Wales
AFP via Getty Images
50/80
Prime Minister Boris Johnson tries his hand at making an Antony Gormley inspired clay figure during an arts class whilst visiting the George Spencer Academy in Nottingham, while on the General Election campaign trail around the country
PA
51/80
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon eats a cupcake during a visit to a bakery whilst on the election campaign trail in Alloa
PA
52/80
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson helps quality control staff during a general election campaign visit to the Tayto Castle crisp factory in County Armagh, Northern Ireland
Reuters
53/80
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage during a visit to Bolsover Boxing Club near Chesterfield in Derbyshire
PA
54/80
Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the campaign trail on Thursday
PA
55/80
Britain’s opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn delivers a speech during their election campaign event on Brexit in Harlow
AP
56/80
Boris Johnson at Downing Street
Jeremy Selwyn
57/80
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie (right) and party General Election campaign chairman Alex Cole-Hamilton on the General Election campaign trail in Blackhall, Edinburgh
PA
58/80
Carrie Symonds shares a picture of Dilyn the dog ready for the General Election
@carriesymonds
59/80
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon holds a guitar as she visits Dalkeith Community Hub with Owen Thompson, SNP election candidate for Midlothian
Getty Images
60/80
Boris Johnson speaks to staff at the East Midlands and East of England Genomic Laboratory Hub, in Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge
Reuters
61/80
Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson during a visit to Sigma Pharmaceuticals in North Watford
PA
62/80
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street on route to Buckingham Palace ahead of an audience with Queen Elizabeth II and the formal start of the General Election
AP
63/80
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage addresses supporters at the Washington Central Hotel in Workington
PA
64/80
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage stops for a pint of beer with the party’s candidate for Ashfield Martin Daubney (right) during a campaigning stop in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
PA
65/80
Brexit Party chairman Richard Tice poses as he wears boxing gloves at a general election campaign event at Bolsover Boxing Club in Chesterfield
Reuters
66/80
Jeremy Corbyn kisses Emily Thornbury’s hand in Battersea
Jeremy Selwyn
67/80
Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson takes a selfie as she appears on BBCC’s The Andrew Marr Show
BBC/AFP via Getty Images
68/80
Jeremy Corbyn prepares to launch the Labour Party’s election campaign in south London
AFP via Getty Images
69/80
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon helps to serve soup during a visit to the Lochside Community Centre in Dumfries, to meet voters and activists while on the General Election campaign.
PA
70/80
Nigel Farage at the Brexit Party’s election campaign launch
AP
71/80
Boris Johnson looks at old photographs of London with students at Abbots Green Primary Academy in Bury St Edmunds
Getty Images
72/80
Nigel Farage on The Andrew Marr Show
BBC/AFP via Getty Images
73/80
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has a coffee in Cafe Gelato, Rutherglen
PA
74/80
Jacob Rees-Mogg arrives at Downing Street in London
Reuters
75/80
Jeremy Corbyn meeting the party faithful during a rally while on the campaign trail in Swindon
PA
76/80
Larry the cat walks outside Downing Street
Reuters
77/80
Boris Johnson as he leaves 10 Downing Street
AFP via Getty Images
78/80
Nigel Farage gives the thumbs up
PA
79/80
Jeremy Corbyn takes a selfie while on the General Election campaign trail in Milton Keynes
PA
80/80
Government advisor Dominic Cummings walks along Whitehall on his way to Downing Street wearing a bulldog clip
Getty Images
Ms Bruce persisted: “Do you not think bum boys is offensive?”
Mr Johnson answered: “I defend my right to speak out, and I do defend my right, and if you actually read the piece, which I don’t think people have, what I was really doing, I suggest you read any of them, or indeed all of them.
“What I was really doing was mounting a strong liberal defence of the right of women in this country to wear what they choose,and I think most people, and not to be oppressed into wearing something they don’t want to wear.
“And I think most people in this country would agree with that.”
