Boris Johnson has been mocked by his sister Rachel after claiming “too often” English was not being spoken as a first language.
Author and journalist Rachel Johnson said she did not know what her brother was talking about, because “we spoke ancient Greek at home”.
The would-be prime minister’s comments were aimed at immigrants, saying he wanted them to “feel British” and learn English.
We spoke Ancient Greek at home I genuinely don’t know what he’s on about
— Rachel Johnson (@RachelSJohnson) July 6, 2019
But he had already been criticised by Welsh and Gaelic-speaking politicians for his remarks before his sister’s intervention.
Ms Johnson tweeted: “We spoke Ancient Greek at home I genuinely don’t know what he’s on about.”
The Tory leadership hopeful made the remarks at a hustings in Darlington on Friday.
Boris is just moronic & clueless Same arrogance of centuries past that did down native Celtic languages for the Germanic import. Multilingualism please Boris and drop the cultural imperialism. https://t.co/zE8TtlLfUa
— Angus B MacNeil MP (@AngusMacNeilSNP) July 5, 2019
He said: “I want everybody who comes here and makes their lives here to be and to feel British, that’s the most important thing, and to learn English”.
Gaelic-speaking SNP MP Angus MacNeil said on Twitter: “Boris is just moronic and clueless.”
