Ken Clarke: Boris Johnson 'is just a nicer Donald Trump' and should 'go away for a bit'

'A nicer Donald Trump': Boris Johnson is campaigning for Brexit
Ben Birchall/PA Wire
Tom Marshall30 May 2016
WEST END FINAL

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Boris Johnson was likened to Donald Trump and told to "go away for a bit" as he came under fire from Tory veteran Ken Clarke.

The former chancellor said Mr Johnson’s pro-Brexit campaign was “remarkably similar” in its message to the controversial Republican’s US presidential bid.

He branded the former London mayor a “nicer version of Donald Trump”, saying he was leading a campaign based on immigration fears that were “about as relevant” to real issues as Trump’s views.

He also attacked Tory critics of David Cameron for turning the EU referendum debate into “a kind of leadership bid for Boris Johnson”.

Ken Clarke criticised Boris Johnson over his Leave campaign

Mr Clarke told BBC Radio 4's Today: “It is no good turning the leave campaign into a kind of leadership bid for Boris Johnson and anti-immigrant fears.

"The public are getting fed up with Tory civil wars when they thought they were being asked about the future of this country for their children and grandchildren.

“All this stuff about whether one or two backbenchers have signed letters calling for David Cameron to resign, I think most of the public would agree, is a bit of a diversion.

“I think Boris and Donald Trump should go away for a bit and enjoy themselves and not get in the way of the serious issues which modern countries of the 21st century face.”

Pressed on his opinion of Mr Johnson, he added: "He is a much nicer version of Donald Trump but the campaign is remarkably similar in my opinion and about as relevant to the real problems that the public face."

Mr Clarke spoke out following a weekend of Tory warfare in which backbenchers branded Mr Cameron "corrosive" and a "liar" as they openly plotted to try to oust him, even if Remain achieves a narrow win in the referendum.

Arch-Cameron critic Nadine Dorries predicted the Prime Minister would be "toast" even if Remain edged a win in the June 23 referendum and said she had tabled a letter seeking a no-confidence vote.

Fellow Brexiteer MP Andrew Bridgen insisted more than the 50 colleagues needed to trigger such a poll were ready to move against the PM.

Mr Clarke called for an end to in-fighting ahead of June 23, although said Cameron’s authority would be "destroyed" and he would have to step down if the referendum was lost.

"His authority will be destroyed and, as we can see, half the campaigners are campaigning because that is their principal hope,” he said.

“Who will succeed him I haven't the foggiest notion.”

Additional reporting by the Press Association.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in