Boris Johnson: Prime Minister reportedly 'nearly swept out to sea and drowned' during Highland holiday in last year

Boris Johnson had to be rescued after getting into trouble while out on the water on a paddleboard or canoe during his holiday in Scotland last year, it has been reported.

Mr Johnson is believed to have got into difficulty while out on the water during his holiday in Scotland last year at Applecross peninsula.

During his Scottish holiday last August, Mr Johnson and his wife Carrie Johnson, their son, Wilfred, and dog, Dilyn, stayed in a remote three-bedroom cottage on the Applecross peninsula on the West coast.

But according to recent reports from The Times, Mr Johnson was nearly swept out to sea and had to be rescued by his protection officers when he was out either paddle-boarding or canoeing during his stay.

A government source told The Times “he nearly drowned” as he was paddle boarding and he got ‘swept up by the current’.

Another source suggested that Johnson had been canoeing rather than paddleboarding.

Reporting initially on Twitter, Times political editor Steven Swinford wrote: “Boris Johnson nearly swept out during his last holiday in Scotland, The Times has been told.

"He went paddleboarding/canoeing and got into trouble.

"Protection officers had to swim out and drag him back to safety."

Downing Street declined to comment on the alleged incident.

The Times also reported that Mr Johnson would not be returning to Scotland for a holiday this year, with sources telling them he would return ‘over their dead body.’

Yet, last month Johnson had told MPs on the liaison committee last month that ‘wild horses won’t keep me away’ from returning for a holiday in Scotland.

A source told The Times Home Affairs Editor, Matt Dathan that: “It would not be good look for prime minister if he was abroad while thousands were stuck in hotel quarantine after we put Mexico on the red list.”

The news comes after it was announced that Mr Johnson ‘will not isolate’ following his trip to Scotland this week after a staff member tested positive for the virus.

A Number 10 spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister regularly visits communities across the UK and all aspects of visits are carried out in line with Covid guidance.

“The Prime Minister has not come into close contact with anyone who has tested positive.”

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