Johnson ‘chickens’ out of own press conference amid noisy protests

Pro-Brexit British Prime Minister Boris Johnson skips press conference in Luxembourg as Downing Street thought PM would not be able to be heard properly above protests.

Duvar English

Boris Johnson failed to turn up to his own press conference as noisy anti-Brexit protesters vented their anger, in extraordinary scenes in Luxembourg on Sept. 16.

Xavier Bettel, the country’s leader, went ahead to speak to the press without the British prime minister – standing next to an empty podium as he fiercely criticised him.

Attacking the UK’s failure to present fresh proposals to break the Brexit impasse, Mr Bettel said – to applause from onlookers – that the “clock is ticking” and told Mr Johnson: “Stop speaking and act.”

Mr Johnson had been in Luxembourg to meet the country’s leader and Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission president, for the first time face-to-face. 

But after enduring loud boos and taunts on the way in from assembled protesters, Mr Johnson walked away without doing his promised appearance in front of the media. A UK government source said he would instead do a clip in private with broadcasters away from the assembled public and press.

Addressing the irregularity, Mr Bettel told the assembled media: “Demonstrating is a right in democracy and it is also important to be able to exchange and listen to each other.” Asked about Mr Johnson’s openness to breaking the law to deliver Brexit, he added that such a move from the government “wouldn’t happen in Luxembourg”.

Downing Street request refused by Luxembourg's govt.

A Downing Street source said Mr Johnson had asked for the press conference to be moved inside away from the public, but that the request had been refused by Luxembourg’s government.

The source said Downing Street took the view that the PM would not be able to be heard properly above the protests. “What is the point of a press conference if the press cannot hear?” they said.

But Luxembourg government officials said there was no room inside large enough to move the press conference to. They added that Downing Street had suggested selecting just a few handpicked journalists to come inside – but the hosts rejected this on the basis that it would have been unfair.

Speaking to reporters without Mr Johnson, Mr Bettel suggested there had been no progress in the meeting, telling reporters: “I know that the UK government is unhappy with the withdrawal agreement as it stands.

“That’s why I thought it was important to speak to Prime Minister Johnson to get proposals. We need more than just words.”

An earlier meeting between Mr Johnson and Mr Juncker also ended without movement on the question of the Irish backstop. A European Commission spokesperson said: “President Juncker recalled that it is the UK’s responsibility to come forward with legally operational solutions that are compatible with the withdrawal agreement. President Juncker underlined the commission’s continued willingness and openness to examine whether such proposals meet the objectives of the backstop. Such proposals have not yet been made.”

The protesters who scared away Mr Johnson were mostly British nationals living in Luxembourg. About 200 people chanted loudly in the square outside the Luxembourg government headquarters, separated from the location of the press conference by a large iron fence and gate.

“Stop Brexit” slogans

They held placards with slogans such as “Stop Brexit” and “We are not your bargaining chips” – a reference to comments by British government ministers. While they waited for Mr Johnson they listened to the EU anthem Ode to Joy played from a portable speaker system and chanted “stop the coup”. 

Mr Johnson said in a private clip to broadcasters later: “I don’t think it would have been fair to the prime minister of Luxembourg [to attend]. I think there was clearly going to be a lot of noise and points might have been drowned out.”

However, the protesters were quiet for Mr Bettel, and in fact cheered him when he came out.

Mr Johnson was immediately criticised by opposition politicians for the decision to skip the press conference.