Ruth Davidson slams Boris Johnson over Brexit “overoptimism”

Ruth Davidson has called for “serious people” to take charge of Brexit as she launched a fresh attack on Boris Johnson.



In an interview with the Times, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives warned that "a failure to face reality" about Britain’s post-EU future was selling the country short.

Ms Davidson had specific criticism for Mr Johnson's 4,200-word Daily Telegraph article published on the day of the Parsons Green terror attack, and his continuing claim that Brexit could allow an extra £350 million a week to be spent on the NHS.

“I think overoptimism and not recognising that there are practical realities that have to be faced, that have to be worked through and that complexity is not something you just skip over, that you actually have to work through, I think sells people short,” she said.

Asked specifically about Mr Johnson’s upbeat approach, she said: “This . . . needs serious people to do a lot of legwork and scanning the detail to make sure we do get to a place where it will all be OK."

Ms Davidson, who was a prominent Remain supporter, clashed with Mr Johnson during the EU referendum campaign.

Ms Davidson also ruled out leaving the Scottish parliament for Westminster before the next Holyrood elections in 2021.

In a poll of Tory members yesterday, Ms Davidson was the second favourite to succeed Theresa May as party leader – behind Mr Johnson.