Letters | 8 October 2011

Boris and the Johnsons
Sir: Toby Young speaks of ‘the (Johnson) family’s roots as Turkish immigrants’ (‘Plan B’, 1 October). Though I’m always amused by what Toby writes, I have to point out that he is not always accurate. These are the facts. My paternal grandfather, Ali Kemal, was married to my grandmother, Winifred Blum. Winifred’s mother Margaret was English (née Johnson), while her father was Swiss. While Ali Kemal’s political and other commitments required him to remain behind in Constantinople, Winifred — already several months pregnant — came to England to visit her mother, and to have the baby in more tranquil surroundings. My father was born in Bournemouth on 4 September 1909. He was brought up in England by his grandmother, Margaret, since Winifred died of puerperal fever a few days after giving birth. He held a British passport (and no other) all his life. Ali Kemal stayed in Turkey.