Johnson blasted 'spineless' MPs for Cummings moans
The Independent|September 15, 2024
Boris Johnson described Tory backbenchers as “spineless chicken shit” for repeatedly criticising his top adviser Dominic Cummings, the former head of the 1922 Committee of Conservative MPs has claimed.
ARCHIE MITCHELL, JABED AHMED
Johnson blasted 'spineless' MPs for Cummings moans

In a memoir about his time leading the powerful committee of backbenchers, Sir Graham Brady has laid bare the backroom deals behind the most turbulent decade in Tory history.

In a telling extract about the former prime minister, Lord Brady has detailed how Mr Johnson was so irritated by criticism of Mr Cummings’ infamous lockdown-breaking Barnard Castle trip that he dubbed Conservative MPs “spineless chicken shit”. Lord Brady claimed he said: “I think backbench MPs have been contemptible! They have been spineless chicken shit. They need to develop some backbone.”

He said when he told Mr Johnson “no sane person would drive their wife and small child 30 miles to test his eyesight”, the then PM replied: “He’s not sane.” Lord Brady added that Mr Johnson repeatedly railed against anti-Covid measures, including criticising the “stupid fucking two-metre rule” and “fucking scientists”.

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Denne historien er fra September 15, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.

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FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE INDEPENDENTSe alt
STOLEN MOMENTS
The Independent

STOLEN MOMENTS

The antics of the gentleman thief in EW Hornung's 'Raffles' bring Anthony Quinn as much joy as when he was a child.

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2 mins  |
January 04, 2025
Can Glaser give Hollywood the roasting it deserves?
The Independent

Can Glaser give Hollywood the roasting it deserves?

The stand-up comedian's close-to-the-bone comedy makes Nikki Glaser the ideal choice to host tomorrow's Golden Globes. Move over, Ricky Gervais, writes Kevin E G Perry

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6 mins  |
January 04, 2025
'I'd just turned 18... I don't think I was remotely sexy'
The Independent

'I'd just turned 18... I don't think I was remotely sexy'

Little Mix's Jade Thirlwall is newly solo with a debut electropop hit to her name. She talks to Annabel Nugent about the downside of fame and how she's never feared 'clapping back'

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10 mins  |
January 04, 2025
The disruptor: why Musk is a risk to German democracy
The Independent

The disruptor: why Musk is a risk to German democracy

The tech billionaire's move to support the AfD is proof he is determined to unsettle a nation that knows all too well what far-right dictatorship can bring, writes John Kampfner

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4 mins  |
January 04, 2025
Slot turns transfer saga into surprise Liverpool benefit
The Independent

Slot turns transfer saga into surprise Liverpool benefit

Arne Slot has claimed that the saga about Trent AlexanderArnold's future is helpful to him as it prevents his Liverpool players from being overloaded with praise that could make them complacent.

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3 mins  |
January 04, 2025
United 'are starving for leaders', admits Amorim
The Independent

United 'are starving for leaders', admits Amorim

When Ruben Amorim got to convey good news, it still came with a demand.

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3 mins  |
January 04, 2025
Still a teenager but there are few weaknesses in his game
The Independent

Still a teenager but there are few weaknesses in his game

Whether he beat or lost to Michael van Gerwen on the Alexandra Palace stage on Friday night, Luke Littler was al going to leave his second World Darts Championship as a winner.

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3 mins  |
January 04, 2025
Littler makes history after winning world title aged 17
The Independent

Littler makes history after winning world title aged 17

Darts has a new world champion, and he's a 17-year-old boy from Warrington.

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4 mins  |
January 04, 2025
The hot UK industry that could be facing a wipeout
The Independent

The hot UK industry that could be facing a wipeout

Don't tell Liam and Noel, but the biggest entertainment event of 2025 won't be their reunion, it'll be the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI.

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3 mins  |
January 04, 2025
Taxes to rise again despite growth, warn economists
The Independent

Taxes to rise again despite growth, warn economists

A group of economists have warned that the Treasury is likely to raise taxes even further this year, despite an expectation that the country will return to growth in 2025.

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2 mins  |
January 04, 2025