Boris Johnson blames David Cameron for Brexit chaos - but defends Brexit's legacy

Boris Johnson has criticised David Cameron's handling of the Brexit vote aftermath in an ITV interview this evening, suggesting it was "not normal" for the former prime minister to "evacuate the stage" post-referendum.

Accusations have been levelled at Mr Johnson and Michael Gove, both part of the Vote Leave campaign, for allegedly causing chaos in the UK by advocating for Brexit without a clear plan.

However, Mr Johnson attempted to turn the blame onto Lord Cameron. He stated: "What we expected and what I think, you know, everybody expected was that the Cameron government having called a referendum a 'yes', 'no' choice for the people - a leave, remain choice for the people - would bring forward a white paper."

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Mr Johnson expressed his surprise when Lord Cameron vacated Number 10 the morning following the vote. He added: "Because every other European leader when their whole referendum decides, you know, once the people have voted, decides what to do and stays in office.

"So, it's not normal for the prime minister having asked for a referendum vote suddenly to evacuate the stage."

This was due to be Johnson's first rigorous interrogation on his period as PM on television since resigning in September 2022. Prior to the release of a severe standards committee report which concluded he had deceived the Commons about Number 10 gatherings in the lockdown-era of the coronavirus pandemic - dubbed 'Partygate' - Johnson had resigned from Parliament.

Still, he asserts his forced departure was unwarranted and anticipates presenting his side of the story in his upcoming book 'Unleashed', set to hit the stands soon.

In response to the privileges committee, Mr Johnson labelled their conclusions as "deranged" and "the final knife-thrust in a protracted political assassination".