Jo Johnson on the debate dividing the nation: ‘it’s brother against brother’

While Boris Johnson is firmly behind the Out campaign in the EU referendum, his father Stanley, sister Rachel and brother Jo are all backing Remain. So, has the difference in opinion led to any family conflict?

Last night at a French embassy Jo — the minister for science and universities —  appeared at first to hint at such problems. He gave a speech, which he began in French, on the great row now gripping the nation and tearing families apart:

‘Everybody must declare their position. Families are divided; brother against brother… I speak of course of the crucial debate for the French language; whether or not to abandon the circumflex.’

Johnson went on to spell out his position on Europe, claiming that Britain would be shooting itself in the foot — ‘tirer une balle dans le pied’ — if it were to leave the EU. While the French Ambassador — and the French crowd — were highly impressed by Johnson’s words and greeted his speech with applause, Mr S suspects Boris would have had a very different response had he been present at the bash.