Tory minister almost achieves self-awareness – with ‘useful idiot’ remark

This is perhaps one Tweet for which James Cleverly should have turned off his replies. The top Tory, who serves as our Minister of State for Europe and North America, claimed that Putin’s mission to ‘divide international groups’ had failed.

Now, as a passionate Brexit supporter, it would appear the iron has been lost on Mr. Cleverly.

James Cleverly defends Boris Johnson – but everyone’s making the same point…

Russia has previously been accused of playing a decisive role in the Brexit vote, although the Kremlin denies any involvement in the matter. Nonetheless, the minister’s suggestions that there has been a failure to ‘fragment’ international groups falls flat.

Here’s what James Cleverly said on Friday:

“A key part of Putin’s plan was to fragment and divide international groupings like NATO. He has failed. Yet some are tripping oveer themselves to say that Boris Johnson is isolated on the world stage.”
“That’s just what Vladimir Putin wants. So you should ask yourself a question: Are you a ‘useful idiot’?”

James Cleverly

Tory minister claims ‘useful idiots’ are enabling Putin, Russia

Cleverly was openly ticked off about the negative coverage Boris Johnson received following his visit to the NATO summit this week. The Prime Minister appeared to be shunned by fellow world leaders, prompting ridicule back home.

However, Cleverly’s defence of his boss has gone down like a lead balloon online:

Tom Head

Hailing from Nottingham, Tom Head has had a journalism career that's taken him across the world. He spent five years as a political reporter in South Africa, specialising in the production digital content. The 30-year-old has two cats, a wonderful wife, and a hairline that's steadily making a retreat.