Boris Johnson is not sick and has not lost control, says No 10 | Boris Johnson | News Today

Boris Johnson is physically well and has a perfect mastery of the post of prime minister, Downing Street said following his rambling speech to business leaders on Monday, in which he lost his place for around 20 seconds.

People who watched Johnson’s speech at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) conference were in awe of it, his spokesperson said, adding that ministers could speak freely if they had any concerns. worries.

The speech at Tyne Harbor, which included a vocal impression of a running car engine and a section on lessons in capitalism and administration presented by children’s cartoon character Peppa Pig, raised concerns among a number of Conservative MPs.

When asked if Johnson “has a hold,” his spokesperson replied: “Of course. I would like to point out the CBI itself, which, when asked about the speech, said the leaders would be encouraged to to hear the Prime Minister speak passionately about the role of the private sector working in partnership with the government to achieve our common ambition of a high investment economy.

It would be wrong to read too much into the section of the speech where Johnson paused for a long time and scrambled the pages of his speech by muttering “forgive me” three times.

“The prime minister briefly lost his place in the speech,” the spokesperson said. “He gave hundreds of speeches. I don’t think it’s unusual for people on rare occasions to lose their place in space.

Johnson had appeared to be battling a cold last week, but his spokesperson insisted he was in good health, saying: “The Prime Minister is fine. It focuses on delivering to the audience.

The spokesperson declined to comment a BBC report which An anonymous “Downing St main source” said there was “a lot of concern inside the building about the Prime Minister”, and a feeling that ministers should demand changes.

“I have seen a number of quotes from anonymous sources, and I will not, as you know, respond to anonymous sources,” the spokesperson said.

However, he rejected the idea that ministers felt unable to tell Johnson if they thought he was on the wrong track: that goal.

“Of course, the Prime Minister wants people to be able to express themselves freely and give their opinion. That’s what cabinet meetings are for. It is part of the function of government to have open conversations.