THE Archbishop of Canterbury has issued a rebuke to Boris Johnson, criticising the Prime Minister for dismissing MPs’ fears over death threats.
Justin Welby said the UK had become consumed by “an abusive and binary approach to political decisions” in which Brexit rivals treated their opponents as “my total enemy”.
He warned that social media meant it had become “extraordinarily dangerous to use careless comments” in a society that was “polarised and volatile”.
He said he was “shocked” by Johnson’s recent dismissal of warnings about extreme language encouraging death threats against politicians as “humbug”.
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Asked directly in an interview with the Sunday Times about Johnson’s “humbug” comment – made when he was urged to moderate his language by an MP allegedly sent death threats – Welby said: “I was shocked by that ... It should never be dismissed in that way. Death threats are really serious and they need to be taken seriously. All sides need to say: ‘That is totally and utterly unacceptable.’”
Unveiling plans to hold a vote on an election each day from tomorrow to Thursday, Johnson promised to implement a “battering-ram strategy” to force Labour’s hand. “We will hammer them day after day after day,” he pledged.
Downing Street has declined to comment.
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