Fiona Bruce drew outrage by referring to Stanley Johnson’s domestic assault as a ‘one-off,’ in which he fractured his wife’s nose and left her hospitalised.
Boris Johnson’s father is accused of breaking his mother Charlotte’s nose in a biography titled The Gambler.
It is claimed in it that the PM’s parents had a ‘violent and miserable’ relationship before divorcing in 1979.
Charlotte is quoted as saying of Stanley: ‘He broke my nose. He made me feel like I deserved it.’
Stanley is reported to have ‘seriously regretted’ the alleged occurrence at the time of the book’s release, declined to comment when asked, and stated that he had not read the book.
In response to the event on BBC Question Time, journalist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown said, ‘I’m not blaming Boris Johnson or Stanley Johnson, he was a wife-beater on record, Stanley Johnson.’
Fiona intervenes to say: ‘I’m not disputing what you’re saying, but just so everyone knows what this is referring to.
‘Stanley Johnson’s wife spoke to a journalist Tom Bower, and she said that Stanley Johnson had broken her nose and she had ended up in hospital as a result, Stanley Johnson has not commented publicly on that.
‘Friends of his have said it did happen, it was a one-off.’
Yasmin continues: ‘Yes but it did happen. Anyway, what I think is it’s not Stanley Johnson or Boris Johnson that bothers me.
‘They are who they are and they do what they do. They think this kingdom is their fiefdom.
‘But it’s the system, we need to look at the system where these nominations happen. Why should any Prime Minister good or bad be allowed to do this?
‘Can’t we have a better, fairer system, so his dad could get it too?’
The clip has sparked outrage on social media, with one person writing: ‘In the week of ‘International Women’s Day’ Fiona Bruce states Stanley Johnson broke his wife’s nose ‘but it was only a once off’ staggering!!!’
Another penned: ‘“One off” domestic violence is still domestic violence. It should never be reduced to anything less just because it was ONCE! Once is ENOUGH!!!!!!’
Someone else wrote: ‘I’m complaining to the BBC about the way Fiona Bruce has downplayed a serious assault by a man against a woman’.
‘I’m not one to rant on about BBC apologies but one really is needed here. Fiona Bruce downplays domestic violence and, in so doing, misrepresents personal accounts to the contrary. Shameful for any person to do so, and especially a woman. Apology needed,’ another viewer commented.
The panellists discussed allegations that Boris has nominated his father for a knighthood as part of his resignation honours list.
Former MEP Stanley is alleged to be one of 100 candidates suggested for Cabinet Office screening by the previous prime minister.
Any honour bestowed upon the 82-year-old would almost certainly raise issues about Boris manipulating the system to reward family members, which comes after the ex-Conservative leader was accused of cronyism in 2020 after nominating his brother Jo Johnson for a peerage. Lord Johnson of Marylebone is his new title.
Two women accused Stanley of groping them during Conservative Party congresses in 2021.
Caroline Nokes, a senior Tory MP, said he slapped her on the behind and made a lewd remark during the Conservative Party conference in 2003.
Ailbhe Rea, a political journalist, said he touched her during the 2019 Tory conference.
After that, Stanley stated that he had “no recall” of either encounter.
Question Time airs Thursdays at 10.40pm on BBC One.
Domestic abuse helpline
If you are in immediate danger call 999. If you cannot talk, dial 55 and the operator will respond.
For emotional support, you can contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. Alternatively, for practical and emotional support, please contact Women’s Aid Live Chat 10am – 6pm seven days a week.
You can also reach the National Centre for Domestic Violence on 0800 270 9070 or text NCDV to 60777.
For free and confidential advice and support for women in London affected by abuse, you can call Solace on 0808 802 5565 or email advice@solacewomensaid.org.
Male victims of domestic abuse can call 01823 334244 to speak to ManKind, an initiative available for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence across the UK as well as their friends, family, neighbours, work colleagues and employers.
Alternatively, the Men’s Advice Line can be reached at 0808 8010327, or emailed at info@mensadviceline.org.uk.
Source My Celebrity Life.
