Boris Johnson has joined UK political leaders in vowing to tone down their language after last week’s furious scenes in the House of Commons that sparked widespread public outrage.
In a joint statement, the leaders of many of Britain’s political parties said they accepted that they had a responsibility to try to use moderate language. They included Mr Johnson, the prime minister, who authorised Tory chief whip Mark Spencer to sign a mutual declaration after a meeting in Speaker’s House in parliament on Monday.
“We all feel that those in leadership positions have a particular duty to weigh their words carefully, bearing in mind that there are stark divisions across the country on Brexit,” the statement said.
“The right of a member to personal safety is absolute and unconditional. Everyone is entitled to have a view — be they parliamentarian, journalist or a member of the public — and their right to safety cannot in any way be dependent on what that view is or the course of political action they take.”
The other signatories were Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Westminster Scottish National party leader Ian Blackford, Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson, the Democratic Unionists’ Nigel Dodds, Green MP Caroline Lucas, Change UK leader Anna Soubry, Plaid Cymru’s Liz Saville-Roberts and John Bercow, the Speaker.
There was uproar in the Commons last week after Mr Johnson dismissed as “humbug”, requests by MPs citing the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016 that he should temper his language. The prime minister also enraged some Labour MPs by suggesting that the best way to honour the death of Cox, who campaigned against Brexit, would be to ensure that Britain left the EU.
“The Speaker has since drafted up a statement on behalf of us, which is to say: ‘Tone down the rhetoric, tone down the language’,” said Mr Corbyn. “Yes — political debate, yes — political disagreement, yes — passionate political thought, but don’t use hyperbolic language that’s dangerous. Don’t use language that incites people to act in a dangerous way on the streets of our country.”
The motion came as two former Tory ministers said allegations from a female journalist that Mr Johnson had squeezed her thigh under the table during a private lunch were “deeply concerning” and should be “taken seriously”.
Charlotte Edwardes, a Sunday Times journalist, claimed the incident occurred in 1999 at the offices of The Spectator magazine in London when the prime minister was its editor. Mr Johnson has denied the allegation.
Anne Milton, a former minister for women, told the FT on Monday: “I am always concerned about allegations about inappropriate sexual behaviour.
“They always should be taken seriously. In this toxic atmosphere, from whichever side allegations come from, it is all too easy to dismiss any accusation as being politically motivated. That is not relevant when allegations are made.”
Justine Greening, who also served as a minister for women, told the BBC: “I can’t comment on those accusations, but they are deeply concerning, and in a sense they go to the heart of this question about character and integrity of people in public life and what standards the electorate have a right to expect.”
Both Ms Greening and Ms Milton were kicked out of the Conservative party after voting against the government on Brexit.
Asked on Monday if the incident had happened, Mr Johnson replied: “No.” He added: “I think what the public want to hear is what we are doing to bring the country together and get on with improving their lives.”
