Boris Johnson’s biography is still conspicuously absent from the official UK government website, sparking criticism and calls for his entry to acknowledge the controversies surrounding his leadership. The government has a tradition of commissioning pen portraits of former prime ministers dating back to Robert Walpole, but despite his tenure ending in 2022, Boris Johnson’s profile remains empty.
Critics argue that any biography of Mr Johnson must address the issues of “sleaze and scandal” that have plagued his time in office. The prime minister released his memoir, titled “Unleashed”, where he defends his actions during his time in Downing Street, claiming he would have won another election if not for being ousted. He denies any wrongdoing in relation to the lockdown parties scandal, popularly known as Partygate, and alleges a conspiracy against him.
Last year, a cross-party group of MPs found that Mr Johnson had deliberately lied to Parliament over Partygate and recommended a 90-day suspension if he had not already resigned. The privileges committee ruled that he should be stripped of his Commons pass, which Mr Johnson vehemently opposed, calling it a “deranged” decision and part of a political vendetta against him.
Despite these controversies, the government website has not updated Mr Johnson’s profile, which currently only features his name, photograph, and the years of his premiership. In contrast, former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s entry is detailed and laudatory, describing him as a charismatic leader who reformed the Labour Party and won a landslide victory in the 1997 general election.
Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper criticised Mr Johnson, stating that he will be remembered as a prime minister who failed to keep his promises. She highlighted the difficulties in writing about his time in office without addressing the scandals and controversies that defined his leadership. The entries for Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, who briefly succeeded Mr Johnson, also remain unchanged on the website.
The Cabinet Office, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak have been approached for comment on the delayed updates to the official government website entries. The ongoing absence of Mr Johnson’s biography reflects the divisive and tumultuous nature of his premiership, leaving a stark blank space in the historical record of UK prime ministers.