Boris is doing a media spree ahead of the release of his book ‘Unleashed.’ In an interview with the Telegraph he enters currently contentious territory to say there should be a referendum on the UK’s membership of the ECHR:

“I’ve been persuaded by that. I think it has changed. It has become much more legally adventurist. It’s trying to second-guess what national jurisdiction should do. There’s a strong case for a proper referendum, a proper discussion about it, because I’m not certain that it actually provides people with protections that they wouldn’t otherwise have.”

Since 1978’s “living instrument doctrine” the ECtHR has had to power to jump into a huge range of domestic issues and has increasingly actively intervened where possible on Rwanda. Like blocking flights with a privately-issued injunction by one judge at the eleventh hour…

Boris insists he’s staying neutral in the leadership race though this has pricked the ears of Robert Jenrick’s leadership camp, which has been pushing throughout the race to leave the ECHR and replace it with a British Bill of Rights. They say it’s “not unhelpful.” The other three candidates prefer to stay in…

Laura Kuenssberg was all set to grill Boris Johnson in what was hyped to be a blockbuster sit-down—the first big interview since his  exit from Number 10. Trailers aired, excitement mounted, and the BBC spun it as the political clash of the season. Now it’s had to be unceremoniously pulled…

Laura accidentally sent her briefing notes— including all the questions and her interview strategy – straight to Johnson’s WhatsApp, instead of her production team. Unsurprisingly, the interview’s now been scrapped, with Kuenssberg sheepishly confirming on X: 

“It’s very frustrating, and there’s no point pretending it’s anything other than embarrassing and disappointing, as there are plenty of important questions to be asked. But red faces aside, honesty is the best policy.”

A source familiar with the events tells Guido:

“It was somewhat unexpected to receive the BBC’s questions prior to the interview. There was no way to continue after the questions had been shared – obviously in error – by Laura. I would not want to be a BBC bigwig this morning. I guess everyone will have to tune into GB News instead – no bad thing.”

A reminder that Laura makes £325,000 from her job at the BBC. Licence fee payers’ time and money well spent…

Speculation is rife as to how long Starmer has been using Lord Alli’s properties. He declared £20,000 worth of ‘accomodation’ use during the election, revealed to be for meetings and to watch the election result. The PM’s team came up with an explanation for him to use – it was for his son to study somewhere away from journalists during once in a lifetime GCSE exams…

Guido cast his mind back to December 2021, when Starmer produced a Christmas video message during the pandemic to attack Boris but praise the new Plan B system. Co-conspirators might just recognise the designer-made bookshelf in the background of the video from pictures of the office room in Lord Alli’s £18 million penthouse. Complete with postcards and family photos…

The video was broadcast on BBC One at 7 p.m, 13^th December. Five days prior to Starmer’s message the government announced the entirety of England would be moved to Plan B rules in response to the fast spread of Omicron. According to the regulations those who could were meant to work from home. ‘Mr Rules’ even said in the video message:

“It will be easy to let the festivities we’ve all been looking forward to divert us from our national duty. Getting jabbed, wearing masks, and working from home if we can really will help prevent infections and help prevent the NHS being overwhelmed.”

Guido’s not sure working from home rules included working from someone else’s home. Must have been nice to head up to the massive roof terrace after that was done though…

Ipsos has carried out crucial polling into which UK politician fits the description of ‘brat’. The trend is spawned from the eponymous album by hyperpop singer Charli XCX and has been seized on by Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign. Barack Obama has put music from the album on his ‘summer playlist’. No one is really sure what ‘brat’ means, but the singer gave it a go:

“You are just that girl who is a little messy and maybe says dumb things sometimes, who feels herself but then also maybe has a breakdown but parties through it. It is honest, blunt and a little bit volatile. That’s Brat.”

So, the messy fun type. Among UK politicians Boris has pipped Farage to the post to take the top spot. Starmer, who is neither messy nor fun, comes in third, followed by Angela Rayner. No doubt Jess Phillips was angling for No 1 by turning up to Edinburgh Fringe and calling herself “the naughty girl” minister…

Will Suella be regretting her departure from the leadership race now she has been declared more brat than Kemi and Priti? Tongues will be wagging in SW1…