David Dimbleby has savaged Boris Johnson, branding him ‘arrogant’ and a ‘liar’ in a brutal interview.
The former Question Time host, 82, said the Prime Minister “lies everywhere”, including to his own family, and claimed “nobody” trusts him.
The BBC veteran’s comments come as the Tories consider scrapping the licence fee in an all-out war against the corporation.
Mr Dimbleby said the Tory leader’s constant attacks on the Beeb were motivated by a desire to avoid scrutiny.
He described Johnson’s behaviour towards the broadcaster as ‘childish, peevish and unpleasant’.
And he said Mr Johnson is imitating Donald Trump, drawing inspiration from the president’s ‘political rulebook’ on how to treat the media.
The BBC stalwart also hammered Mr Johnson’s closest adviser Dominic Cummings, who is widely considered to be driving No 10’s hostility towards the BBC.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
In an interview with Germany’s ARD broadcaster, Mr Dimbleby said: “The pernicious route they (the Government) are using is to say the licence fee is wrong or unfair.
“I don’t believe it is wrong or unfair.
“It is a way of damaging and undermining the BBC that is dangerous and should be resisted forcefully if public broadcasting is to survive.”
The Daily Mail reports that a full transcript of the interview showed Mr Dimbleby saying Mr Johnson was ‘apeing’ some of Trump’s attitudes.
He added: “Nobody trusts Boris Johnson. Who could trust Boris Johnson?
“He lies everywhere to everyone. He lies to his family. He just makes it up, you know.”
The broadcaster said Johnson’s Government did not care for objective reporting and was not willing to be scrutinised because ‘they’re arrogant with power’.
