Boris Johnson ‘fired’ from election coverage after repeatedly trying to plug his book
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson found himself in a turbulent situation during Channel 4’s US election coverage as he was asked to leave due to his consistent attempts to plug his book while on air. The incident occurred during the live programme titled America Decides: US Presidential Election when Johnson began promoting his memoir, Unleashed. Despite being instructed by host Krishnan Guru-Murthy to refrain from mentioning his book and to put it away, Johnson persisted in trying to showcase his publication to viewers.
Johnson’s adamant behaviour led to clashes with both Guru-Murthy and co-host Emily Maitlis. He defended his actions by stating, “There’s absolutely nothing you can do to stop me … I’m allowed to plug my book.” Johnson continued to bring up his book throughout the broadcast, causing frustration among the hosts and viewers. When questioned about the possibility of a political comeback akin to former US President Donald Trump, Johnson redirected the conversation towards his book, stating, “The answer is obviously contained in Unleashed where you’ll find the full discussion of this subject.”
The tension escalated further as Maitlis expressed the audience’s disinterest in Johnson’s book and urged him to focus on answering questions directly. Johnson’s responses remained fixated on promoting his book, asserting, “By the way Emily I’ve answered all your questions all night. Currently I am blissfully engaged promoting my book Unleashed, available in all good bookstores.” Eventually, Johnson was replaced on the Channel 4 panel by Michael Cohen, who had served as a lawyer for Trump.
Following this incident, Guru-Murthy informed viewers that Boris Johnson had been relieved of his duties on the programme for his persistent attempts to promote his book. Channel 4 was contacted for comment on the matter but has not provided a response yet. The abrupt removal of Johnson from the coverage highlighted the challenges that arise when public figures blur the lines between self-promotion and participation in journalistic endeavours.
The clash between Johnson and the Channel 4 hosts served as a reminder of the boundaries that must be respected in media appearances, emphasising the importance of staying focused on the topic at hand rather than personal agendas. This incident showcased the delicate balance between leveraging public platforms for personal gain and engaging in meaningful discourse that serves the audience’s interests. Johnson’s removal from the election coverage underscored the repercussions of prioritising self-promotion over contributing constructively to a televised event aimed at informing and engaging viewers.