Tory MP says Conservative critics of Boris Johnson are 'a***holes' in outspoken attack
2 min read
A Tory MP has branded critics of Boris Johnson within his own party “a***holes” amid reports of a plot to stop him becoming Prime Minister.
Ross Thomson launched the outspoken attack in the wake of the former Foreign Secretary's speech to the Conservative conference in Birmingham.
Mr Johnson received a rapturous reception as he once again attacked Theresa May's Brexit strategy and set out his alternative vision for the country.
The speech came after it emerged that senior Scottish Conservatives had launched a bid - dubbed 'Operation Arse' - to stop the Uxbridge MP from succeeding Mrs May amid fears it could kill off the party's revival north of the Border.
But Aberdeen South MP Mr Thomson, an enthusiastic supporter of Mr Johnson and one of those who flanked him as he entered the conference centre yesterday, appeared to take aim at those colleagues in a late-night Twitter rant.
He wrote: “Regardless of your view of @BorisJohnson, today in his characteristic style he injected some much needed energy, optimism, passion and enthusiasm to a flat conference.
“The reaction in the hall was electric which even those ”Operation Arsehole’s” can’t deny. #ChuckChequers #CPC18"
Mr Thomson was backed by fellow Tory MP Conor Burns, another supporter of Mr Johnson.
The row came after Scottish Secretary David Mundell told a conference fringe event that Mr Johnson was “not an asset” to the Tories.
He said: "Unfortunately Mr Johnson seems to behave in a way that suggests he is only focused on his own self interest and not on the interests of our country, and I find that very disappointing.
"I think what is a fact is that Mr Johnson is not an asset for the Scottish Conservative Party. I don't think people find that his behaviour is one that would endear him to voters.
"We have a very, very strong leader in Scotland in Ruth Davidson who had a very significant contribution to make to this conference. Her message was to rally round the prime minister as we move forward with Brexit."
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