Sir Rod Stewart has explained why he is “still a bit of a fan” of Boris Johnson despite the former prime minister’s very public exposure as a liar.
The “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?” singer shared his views on Mr Johnson after a report found that he repeatedly misled Parliament about gatherings in Downing Street during lockdown.
The report concluded that Johnson was “complicit in a campaign of abuse and intimidation” of the privileges committee. He criticised the findings, calling them a “deranged conclusion” and accusing the Tory-majority group of MPs, who he has repeatedly sought to disparage, of lying.
However, Stewart, a life long self-professed Tory supporter who in January said it was time for Labour to take charge, was undeterred by the excoriating findings.
He told Sky News: “I was and still am a bit of a fan of Boris because I think he’s got wonderful charisma.”
The 78-year-old, who famously tweeted his support of Mr Johnson after the Conservatives’ victory in 2019, continued: “But you know, you knew what you were getting with Boris, so it’s not unusual. He’s told a few porkies over the years. So I’m not surprised.
“He’s in big trouble now. But how is he going to make a comeback? I don’t know. Maybe he should talk to me. I’ve been making comebacks for years.”
Stewart addressed the government’s responsibility in the cost of living crisis, stating: “I’ve got people that work for me. They’re struggling, you know, I’ve just given everybody a 10 per cent raise, I gave them a raise two years ago, because they’re struggling. The cost of living is ridiculous.”
The privileges committee rejected Johnson’s claim that senior officials advised him that Covid rules and guidance had been followed in No 10.
They said that denials and explanations of Covid parties at No 10 were “so disingenuous that they were by their very nature deliberate attempts to mislead the committee and the House”.
Stewart, who was a member of The Faces in the 1960s and 1970s, is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold over 250 million records worldwide.
His songs include “Maggie May”, “Sailing” and “I Don't Want to Talk About It”.
