Boris Johnson’s dad stands by ‘et tu, Brute’ comments towards Michael Gove

Stanley Johnson, father of Boris Johnson, says he stands by his initial reaction to the decision by Michael Gove to contest the leadership of the Conservative Party.

When news of Michael Gove’s decision emerged, Mr Johnson Snr commented “et tu, Brute?”

The Latin phrase, taken from Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar, are the last words spoken by Julius Caesar as he sees his friend Brutus among his assassins.

“They were three short words and I stand by them,” Mr Johnson told RTÉ’s Today with Sean O’Rourke programme.

He said that Home Secretary Theresa May now has the chance to show that she has grasped the challenge of leadership of the Tories.

Mr Johnson, a former MEP, said that although he was on the Remain side in the Brexit campaign, he supported his son in his bid for leadership of the party.

“I was very much on the Remain side,” said Mr Johnson.

“Boris came in as the leader of the Leave campaign. We agreed to differ. I thought we could sort out the problems by staying in; he thought we couldn’t.

“That is water under the bridge. We are where we are. He then led the Brexit campaign, had the referendum result. I then made it absolutely clear I was supporting him as a potential leader of the Conservative Party and, therefore, potential Prime Minister.”

He said that if the EU had shown more flexibility on the immigration issue the Referendum would have gone a different way.

“We have to address the free movement rules,” said Mr Johnson. “They are not fit for purpose. It’s really sad. I am pro Europe.”