Boris Johnson faced criticism for suggesting that remain-supporting civil servants were responsible for an increase in migration following Brexit. The ex-Tory leader, ousted amid a scandal, recalled warnings of a mass exodus post-Brexit. While recent data shows a decrease in net migration to 171,000 in December 2025, it peaked at 944,000 in March 2023, earning the nickname ‘Boriswave.’
During an interview with Sky News, Johnson claimed that pre-Brexit concerns led to a belief in the need for more workers like social care providers. He mentioned Whitehall’s response to these concerns and his subsequent actions to address the issue. Ayesha Hazarika, a Labour peer and broadcaster, criticized Johnson’s views on immigration, calling him delusional and drawing a fiery analogy.
In a perplexing move, Johnson dismissed the Partygate scandal as “nonsense” despite facing fines and leaving office over the issue. The scandal, exposed by The Mirror, resulted in a report finding Johnson guilty of misleading Parliament. Johnson’s advice to incoming PM Andy Burnham included a call for resolute support for Ukraine against Russia.
Johnson emphasized the importance of clarity in the West’s stance on Ukraine’s NATO membership to deter further Russian aggression. The interview also touched on Johnson’s perception of Putin’s motivations and the ongoing conflict in the region.