Boris Johnson rushes to The Guardian's defence

 

Monday 29 October 2012 06:32 EDT
Comments
October 9, 2012: London Mayor Boris Johnson delivers his keynote speech at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham.
October 9, 2012: London Mayor Boris Johnson delivers his keynote speech at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham. (Reuters)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Guardian newspaper group has found itself an unlikely defender in the shape of Conservative Mayor of London and Telegraph columnist, Boris Johnson

In response to news stories suggesting the Guardian plans axe it's print version within the next few years and move the whole operation online, Johnson has this to say: "It would be a national tragedy if we lost the paper version – the wood-pulp and ink version – of this historic publication."

While he does acknowledge the papers "strange hostility" to his own political career, the Mayor is able to look beyond his personal feelings, and see the greater issues at stake, "Guilt-ridden Lefties will need it to swat the mosquitoes in Tuscany, or to light the wood-burning stoves in their second homes, or to line the tuck boxes of their little ones as they guiltily pack them off - like dear Polly Toynbee - to their fee-paying schools."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in