The PM's official spokesperson told reporters Mr Johnson recognises the 'huge impact and pain' caused by the closure of coal mines - but did not confirm whether he would say sorry for the remark
Asked if the PM plans to apologise for his remark, the spokesman added:"You've got my words there, the prime minister recognises the huge impact and pain closing coal mines had in communities across the UK."
"I'm proud to have always stood with our coalfield communities. I represented the miners in court as the Tories tried to close the pits. These communities contributed so much to the success of our country, and then were abandoned."For Boris Johnson to treat the pain and suffering caused to our coalfield communities as a punchline shows just how out of touch with working people he is.
"The comment has clearly been made in jest and was said in the context of the move away from fossil fuels to renewable and clean forms of energy," Mr Clarke-Smith told Sky News. "If we were talking about speeding up closures, then I would have actually used Labour's Harold Wilson as an example, who closed 290 pits, as opposed to the 160 under Margaret Thatcher. Tony Blair also continued the trend towards closures.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Boris slammed for saying Thatcher started climate fight 'early' by closing mines‘Thanks to Margaret Thatcher, who closed so many coal mines across the country, we had a big early start and we’re now moving rapidly away from coal altogether'
Read more »
Boris Johnson slammed for joking with journalists about Thatcher's mine closuresLabour accused the Prime Minister of 'brushing off the devastating impact' loss of industry had on communities and demanded he apologise for the 'shameful' episode
Read more »
The Guardian view on Boris Johnson in Scotland: an undeclared campaignEditorial: The impasse over a second referendum has not stopped the question infiltrating every other issue
Read more »
Downing Street refuses to apologise for Boris Johnson coalmines jokeSpokesman says prime minister ‘recognises pain’ of closures after remark provokes outrage
Read more »
Slump in Tory optimism fuels fall in Boris Johnson’s popularity, poll findsPrime minister’s favourability rating lowest since last October as ‘vaccine bounce’ fades
Read more »