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Boris Johnson’s father has been accused of “snobbery and elitist thinking” after suggesting the British public “couldn’t spell Pinocchio if they tried”.
Stanley Johnson made the comments on the Victoria Derbyshire program on Friday as he defended his son from critics for the second time in two days.
The Prime Minister has been called a “liar” and running scared after he refused to attend leaders’ debates or confirm whether he would be interviewed by BBC journalist Andrew Neil.
Asked about the PM being called “Pinocchio,” Mr Johnson replied: “That requires a degree of literacy, which I think the great British public doesn’t necessarily have”.
General Election 2019 – In pictures
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Boris Johnson on LBC Radio
Jeremy Selwyn
2/106
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson takes a sip from a pint of Rattler cider as he visits Healey’s Cornish Cyder Farm in Callestick, Cornwall
AFP via Getty Images
3/106
Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson helps make poppadoms during a visit to the Ashoka restaurant in Bearsden, Glasgow
PA
4/106
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon plays with local children during a visit to the Jelly Tots & Cookies Play Cafe in Uddingston, South Lanarkshire
PA
5/106
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn holds some flowers as he meets supporters during a visit to Thurrock in Essex whilst on the General Election campaign trail
PA
6/106
Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Rodda’s Cornish Clotted Cream, near Redruth in Cornwall where he enjoyed a cream tea before he and George Eustice M.P. helped with packaging whilst on the General Election campaign trail
PA
7/106
Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Rodda’s Cornish Clotted Cream, near Redruth in Cornwall where he and George Eustice M.P. helped with packaging whilst on the General Election campaign traiL
PA
8/106
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage drinks a pint in the Silkstone Inn, Barnsley,
PA
9/106
Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to the Healey’s Cornish Cyder Farm, near Truro in Cornwall, whilst on the General Election campaign trail
PA
10/106
Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson helps make a chicken tikka masala during a visit to the Ashoka restaurant in Bearsden, Glasgow
PA
11/106
Prime Minister Boris Johnson drinks tea with staff members as he visits West Cornwall Community Hospital, in Penzance, Cornwall
PA
12/106
Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson helps prepare vegetables during a visit to the Ashoka restaurant in Bearsden, Glasgow,
PA
13/106
Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to the HealeyÕs Cornish Cyder Farm, near Truro in Cornwall, whilst on the General Election campaign trail
PA
14/106
Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to the Healey’s Cornish Cyder Farm, near Truro in Cornwall, whilst on the General Election campaign trail
PA
15/106
Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson arrives in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, for some national canvassing during the General Election campaign
PA
16/106
Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits the International Aviation Academy, Norwich, whilst on the General Election campaign trai
PA
17/106
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage meets locals in Barnsley market
PA
18/106
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, visits the Royal Welsh Showground, in Llanelwedd, Builth Wells
whilst on the General Election campaign trail
PA
19/106
Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson during a visit to Dunkertons Cider Company, an organic and plastic free brewery in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
PA
20/106
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn tries his hand at bricklaying during a visit to the West Nottinghamshire College Construction Centre, in Ashfield
PA
21/106
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson collects his papers after speaking during an event to launch the 2019 Conservative Party general election manifesto
AFP via Getty Images
22/106
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
23/106
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon gives her party’s candidate for North East Fife Stephen Gethins a haircut, during a visit to Craig Boyd Hairdressing in Leven, Fife
PA
24/106
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn takes pictures with supporters during a visit to the Renishaw Miners Welfare, in Renishaw, Sheffield, whilst on the General Election campaign trai
PA
25/106
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon during a visit to Craig Boyd Hairdressing in Leven, Fife, whilst on the General Election campaign trail
PA
26/106
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage visits Seaham during the Brexit Party general election campaign tour
Getty Images
27/106
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon dons a cape during a photocall for the charity Chest Heart Stroke Scotland after FMQs at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh
PA
28/106
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
29/106
Labour Manifesto launch
Jeremy Selwyn
30/106
Nigel Farage visits the Brook pie and mash shop in Dagenham
Lucy Young
31/106
Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to David Wilson Homes in Bedford while on the campaign trail for the General Election
PA
32/106
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
33/106
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
34/106
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
35/106
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
36/106
Liberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson during a visit to Trumpington Park Primary School, in Cambridge, whilst campaigning for the General Electio
PA
37/106
Jeremy Corbyn reacts during the election head-to-head debate live on TV
AP
38/106
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
39/106
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
40/106
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
41/106
Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon reacts during a general election campaign visit to Perthshire Preserves in Stirling
AFP via Getty Images
42/106
Michael Gove and Andrew Gwynne during an interview at tonight’s debate in the ‘Spin Room’ ahead of general election
via Reuters
43/106
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
44/106
Leader of the Brexit Party Nigel Farage holds a pint during general election campaign event in Peterborough
Reuters
45/106
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
46/106
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
47/106
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
48/106
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
49/106
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage looks out from a window on the Kestrel crabbing boat in Grimsby fish dock during General Election campaigning
PA
50/106
Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to West Monkton CEVC Primary School in Bathpool, Taunton
PA
51/106
Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon (R) holds a baby as she campaigns with SNP candidate Catriona MacDonald
AFP via Getty Images
52/106
Jo Swinson at Total Boxer
Jeremy Selwyn
53/106
Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson during a visit to the Gurdwara Singh Sabha Temple in Glasgow
PA
54/106
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
55/106
Nigel Farage holds a fish during a stop at the Grimsby Seafood Village during General Election campaigning
PA
56/106
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson steers a tug boat during a General Election campaign stop in the port of Bristol,
AP
57/106
Nigel Farage takes a mouthful of homemade cheesecake during a stop at the Grimsby Seafood Village during General Election campaigning
PA
58/106
Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds Rosie the rabbit during a visit to a primary school in Taunton
AFP via Getty Images
59/106
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
60/106
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn tries a scone in Bentley, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, during General Election campaigning
PA
61/106
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan practices with a sparing partner Tyler Brindle as he visits a community boxing gym in London
Reuters
62/106
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
63/106
Prime Minister Boris Johnson talks with a local woman pushing a wheelbarrow
PA
64/106
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage attends a general election campaign event in Sedgefield
Reuters
65/106
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon during a visit to The Shed, a Climate Challenge community project at North Edinburgh Arts
PA
66/106
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn during a visit to the Heart of Scotstoun Community Centre in Glasgow
PA
67/106
Britain’ Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a baby as he meets with supporters at the Lych Gate Tavern in Wolverhampton
AP
68/106
Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon visits Blosson Tree children’s nursery
AFP via Getty Images
69/106
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
70/106
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
71/106
Prime Minister Boris Johnson helps with the clean up at an opticians as he visits Matlock in Sheffield
Getty Images
72/106
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn unveils the Labour battle bus while on the General Election campaign trail in Liverpool
PA
73/106
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
74/106
Leader of the Liberal Democrats Jo Swinson attends an election campaign event in Golders Green
Getty Images
75/106
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
76/106
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
77/106
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon eats a cupcake during a visit to a bakery whilst on the election campaign trail in Alloa
PA
78/106
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
79/106
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage during a visit to Bolsover Boxing Club near Chesterfield in Derbyshire
PA
80/106
Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the campaign trail on Thursday
PA
81/106
Britain’s opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn delivers a speech during their election campaign event on Brexit in Harlow
AP
82/106
Boris Johnson at Downing Street
Jeremy Selwyn
83/106
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
84/106
Carrie Symonds shares a picture of Dilyn the dog ready for the General Election
@carriesymonds
85/106
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon holds a guitar as she visits Dalkeith Community Hub with Owen Thompson, SNP election candidate for Midlothian
Getty Images
86/106
Boris Johnson speaks to staff at the East Midlands and East of England Genomic Laboratory Hub, in Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge
Reuters
87/106
Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson during a visit to Sigma Pharmaceuticals in North Watford
PA
88/106
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
89/106
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage addresses supporters at the Washington Central Hotel in Workington
PA
90/106
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
91/106
Brexit Party chairman Richard Tice poses as he wears boxing gloves at a general election campaign event at Bolsover Boxing Club in Chesterfield
Reuters
92/106
Jeremy Corbyn kisses Emily Thornbury’s hand in Battersea
Jeremy Selwyn
93/106
Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson takes a selfie as she appears on BBCC’s The Andrew Marr Show
BBC/AFP via Getty Images
94/106
Jeremy Corbyn prepares to launch the Labour Party’s election campaign in south London
AFP via Getty Images
95/106
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
96/106
Nigel Farage at the Brexit Party’s election campaign launch
AP
97/106
Boris Johnson looks at old photographs of London with students at Abbots Green Primary Academy in Bury St Edmunds
Getty Images
98/106
Nigel Farage on The Andrew Marr Show
BBC/AFP via Getty Images
99/106
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has a coffee in Cafe Gelato, Rutherglen
PA
100/106
Jacob Rees-Mogg arrives at Downing Street in London
Reuters
101/106
Jeremy Corbyn meeting the party faithful during a rally while on the campaign trail in Swindon
PA
102/106
Larry the cat walks outside Downing Street
Reuters
103/106
Boris Johnson as he leaves 10 Downing Street
AFP via Getty Images
104/106
Nigel Farage gives the thumbs up
PA
105/106
Jeremy Corbyn takes a selfie while on the General Election campaign trail in Milton Keynes
PA
106/106
Government advisor Dominic Cummings walks along Whitehall on his way to Downing Street wearing a bulldog clip
Getty Images
1/106
Boris Johnson on LBC Radio
Jeremy Selwyn
2/106
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson takes a sip from a pint of Rattler cider as he visits Healey’s Cornish Cyder Farm in Callestick, Cornwall
AFP via Getty Images
3/106
Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson helps make poppadoms during a visit to the Ashoka restaurant in Bearsden, Glasgow
PA
4/106
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon plays with local children during a visit to the Jelly Tots & Cookies Play Cafe in Uddingston, South Lanarkshire
PA
5/106
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn holds some flowers as he meets supporters during a visit to Thurrock in Essex whilst on the General Election campaign trail
PA
6/106
Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Rodda’s Cornish Clotted Cream, near Redruth in Cornwall where he enjoyed a cream tea before he and George Eustice M.P. helped with packaging whilst on the General Election campaign trail
PA
7/106
Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Rodda’s Cornish Clotted Cream, near Redruth in Cornwall where he and George Eustice M.P. helped with packaging whilst on the General Election campaign traiL
PA
8/106
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage drinks a pint in the Silkstone Inn, Barnsley,
PA
9/106
Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to the Healey’s Cornish Cyder Farm, near Truro in Cornwall, whilst on the General Election campaign trail
PA
10/106
Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson helps make a chicken tikka masala during a visit to the Ashoka restaurant in Bearsden, Glasgow
PA
11/106
Prime Minister Boris Johnson drinks tea with staff members as he visits West Cornwall Community Hospital, in Penzance, Cornwall
PA
12/106
Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson helps prepare vegetables during a visit to the Ashoka restaurant in Bearsden, Glasgow,
PA
13/106
Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to the HealeyÕs Cornish Cyder Farm, near Truro in Cornwall, whilst on the General Election campaign trail
PA
14/106
Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to the Healey’s Cornish Cyder Farm, near Truro in Cornwall, whilst on the General Election campaign trail
PA
15/106
Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson arrives in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, for some national canvassing during the General Election campaign
PA
16/106
Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits the International Aviation Academy, Norwich, whilst on the General Election campaign trai
PA
17/106
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage meets locals in Barnsley market
PA
18/106
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, visits the Royal Welsh Showground, in Llanelwedd, Builth Wells
whilst on the General Election campaign trail
PA
19/106
Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson during a visit to Dunkertons Cider Company, an organic and plastic free brewery in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
PA
20/106
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn tries his hand at bricklaying during a visit to the West Nottinghamshire College Construction Centre, in Ashfield
PA
21/106
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson collects his papers after speaking during an event to launch the 2019 Conservative Party general election manifesto
AFP via Getty Images
22/106
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
23/106
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon gives her party’s candidate for North East Fife Stephen Gethins a haircut, during a visit to Craig Boyd Hairdressing in Leven, Fife
PA
24/106
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn takes pictures with supporters during a visit to the Renishaw Miners Welfare, in Renishaw, Sheffield, whilst on the General Election campaign trai
PA
25/106
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon during a visit to Craig Boyd Hairdressing in Leven, Fife, whilst on the General Election campaign trail
PA
26/106
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage visits Seaham during the Brexit Party general election campaign tour
Getty Images
27/106
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon dons a cape during a photocall for the charity Chest Heart Stroke Scotland after FMQs at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh
PA
28/106
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
29/106
Labour Manifesto launch
Jeremy Selwyn
30/106
Nigel Farage visits the Brook pie and mash shop in Dagenham
Lucy Young
31/106
Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to David Wilson Homes in Bedford while on the campaign trail for the General Election
PA
32/106
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
33/106
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
34/106
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
35/106
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
36/106
Liberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson during a visit to Trumpington Park Primary School, in Cambridge, whilst campaigning for the General Electio
PA
37/106
Jeremy Corbyn reacts during the election head-to-head debate live on TV
AP
38/106
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
39/106
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
40/106
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
41/106
Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon reacts during a general election campaign visit to Perthshire Preserves in Stirling
AFP via Getty Images
42/106
Michael Gove and Andrew Gwynne during an interview at tonight’s debate in the ‘Spin Room’ ahead of general election
via Reuters
43/106
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
44/106
Leader of the Brexit Party Nigel Farage holds a pint during general election campaign event in Peterborough
Reuters
45/106
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
46/106
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
47/106
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
48/106
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
49/106
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage looks out from a window on the Kestrel crabbing boat in Grimsby fish dock during General Election campaigning
PA
50/106
Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to West Monkton CEVC Primary School in Bathpool, Taunton
PA
51/106
Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon (R) holds a baby as she campaigns with SNP candidate Catriona MacDonald
AFP via Getty Images
52/106
Jo Swinson at Total Boxer
Jeremy Selwyn
53/106
Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson during a visit to the Gurdwara Singh Sabha Temple in Glasgow
PA
54/106
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
55/106
Nigel Farage holds a fish during a stop at the Grimsby Seafood Village during General Election campaigning
PA
56/106
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson steers a tug boat during a General Election campaign stop in the port of Bristol,
AP
57/106
Nigel Farage takes a mouthful of homemade cheesecake during a stop at the Grimsby Seafood Village during General Election campaigning
PA
58/106
Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds Rosie the rabbit during a visit to a primary school in Taunton
AFP via Getty Images
59/106
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
60/106
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn tries a scone in Bentley, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, during General Election campaigning
PA
61/106
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan practices with a sparing partner Tyler Brindle as he visits a community boxing gym in London
Reuters
62/106
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
63/106
Prime Minister Boris Johnson talks with a local woman pushing a wheelbarrow
PA
64/106
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage attends a general election campaign event in Sedgefield
Reuters
65/106
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon during a visit to The Shed, a Climate Challenge community project at North Edinburgh Arts
PA
66/106
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn during a visit to the Heart of Scotstoun Community Centre in Glasgow
PA
67/106
Britain’ Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a baby as he meets with supporters at the Lych Gate Tavern in Wolverhampton
AP
68/106
Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon visits Blosson Tree children’s nursery
AFP via Getty Images
69/106
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
70/106
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
71/106
Prime Minister Boris Johnson helps with the clean up at an opticians as he visits Matlock in Sheffield
Getty Images
72/106
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn unveils the Labour battle bus while on the General Election campaign trail in Liverpool
PA
73/106
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
74/106
Leader of the Liberal Democrats Jo Swinson attends an election campaign event in Golders Green
Getty Images
75/106
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
76/106
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
77/106
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon eats a cupcake during a visit to a bakery whilst on the election campaign trail in Alloa
PA
78/106
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
79/106
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage during a visit to Bolsover Boxing Club near Chesterfield in Derbyshire
PA
80/106
Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the campaign trail on Thursday
PA
81/106
Britain’s opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn delivers a speech during their election campaign event on Brexit in Harlow
AP
82/106
Boris Johnson at Downing Street
Jeremy Selwyn
83/106
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
84/106
Carrie Symonds shares a picture of Dilyn the dog ready for the General Election
@carriesymonds
85/106
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon holds a guitar as she visits Dalkeith Community Hub with Owen Thompson, SNP election candidate for Midlothian
Getty Images
86/106
Boris Johnson speaks to staff at the East Midlands and East of England Genomic Laboratory Hub, in Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge
Reuters
87/106
Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson during a visit to Sigma Pharmaceuticals in North Watford
PA
88/106
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
89/106
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage addresses supporters at the Washington Central Hotel in Workington
PA
90/106
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
91/106
Brexit Party chairman Richard Tice poses as he wears boxing gloves at a general election campaign event at Bolsover Boxing Club in Chesterfield
Reuters
92/106
Jeremy Corbyn kisses Emily Thornbury’s hand in Battersea
Jeremy Selwyn
93/106
Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson takes a selfie as she appears on BBCC’s The Andrew Marr Show
BBC/AFP via Getty Images
94/106
Jeremy Corbyn prepares to launch the Labour Party’s election campaign in south London
AFP via Getty Images
95/106
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
96/106
Nigel Farage at the Brexit Party’s election campaign launch
AP
97/106
Boris Johnson looks at old photographs of London with students at Abbots Green Primary Academy in Bury St Edmunds
Getty Images
98/106
Nigel Farage on The Andrew Marr Show
BBC/AFP via Getty Images
99/106
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has a coffee in Cafe Gelato, Rutherglen
PA
100/106
Jacob Rees-Mogg arrives at Downing Street in London
Reuters
101/106
Jeremy Corbyn meeting the party faithful during a rally while on the campaign trail in Swindon
PA
102/106
Larry the cat walks outside Downing Street
Reuters
103/106
Boris Johnson as he leaves 10 Downing Street
AFP via Getty Images
104/106
Nigel Farage gives the thumbs up
PA
105/106
Jeremy Corbyn takes a selfie while on the General Election campaign trail in Milton Keynes
PA
106/106
Government advisor Dominic Cummings walks along Whitehall on his way to Downing Street wearing a bulldog clip
Getty Images
When asked why he would make that “pejorative” comment, he said: “Well they couldn’t spell Pinocchio if they tried.”
Pushed again on why he would make the comment, he responded: “Can you spell Pinocchio?”
He then criticised the program for being able to read out a live Tweet from a viewer that called his son a “liar”.
“I think it is utterly absurd and wrong that you can read out on air, a Tweet coming in from one of your readers, on air, which calls the Prime Minister a liar,” he said.
“I think it’s amazing you can do that.”
The comments sparked backlash on social media with one person writing: “Well done Stanley, get that foul elitist thinking and snobbery exposed for us all to see.”
Another said: “Watching Stanley ‘Boris template’ Johnson belittle the entire population of the UK on air. Definitely see where Boris and his sense of entitled boorishness comes from.”
Others congratulated Mr Johnson for standing up for his son.
It is the second time in 24 hours Mr Johnson has jumped to his son’s defence.
The PM was absent from a Channel 4 leaders’ debate on climate change, having offered up cabinet minister Michael Gove in his place, who was rejected by the broadcaster.
Mr Gove and Mr Johnson’s father, who attended lat month’s Extinction Rebellion protests, were seen “trying to argue their way on to the programme” minutes before it started.
Channel 4’s news editor Ben de Pear said “sorry, we invited Stanley and he then offered to take his son’s place”.
