James Cleverly defended Boris Johnson’s no-show and Nish Kumar had the brilliant last word

John Plunkett. Updated December 1st, 2023

As you’ll have seen by now, Boris Johnson declined to turn up to Channel 4’s climate debate last night and was replaced by a block of ice.

In its defence, the block of ice told fewer lies and has used no racial slurs in newspaper columns.

— Nish Kumar (@MrNishKumar) November 28, 2019

Anyway, Tory party chairman James Cleverly was naturally very keen to defend the so-called PM from accusations that he was running scared.

Particularly after Michael Gove turned up and offered to fill in for Johnson, but was politely turned away.

Here’s what Channel 4 News editor Ben de Pear had to say.

In a last ditch attempt ⁦@BorisJohnson⁩ has sent his two wing men best friend ⁦@michaelgove⁩ and dad Stanley Johnson to argue their way into a programme intended only for leaders. they were lovely and charming but neither are the leader #climatedebate pic.twitter.com/3TdGT3Q4ZJ

— Ben de Pear (@bendepear) November 28, 2019

Cue Cleverly.

This is not a presidential election. @bendepear

— James Cleverly (@JamesCleverly) November 28, 2019

Then stop behaving like @realDonaldTrump with the press and media. Put your leader @BorisJohnson alongside the other leaders and stop playing games. Don’t refuse & then threaten our license it’s a slippery slope. All the parties complain about us but they’re here #ClimateDebate https://t.co/aqQ3PcJC7K

— Ben de Pear (@bendepear) November 28, 2019

I just want to check the facts here.

We sent someone to represent the @Conservatives but you allowed the other party leaders to veto their inclusion in the debate?

During the regulated General Election period?

— James Cleverly (@JamesCleverly) November 28, 2019

Enter Kumar.

I just want to check the facts here.

It was a leaders debate. Your leader was invited. Instead he sent someone who isn’t the leader and his dad.

It was a debate during the election period about the most serious issue facing us & he didn’t bother to turn up.

How are my facts? https://t.co/DXJPEAiq3r

— Nish Kumar (@MrNishKumar) November 28, 2019

Boom.

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