Boris Johnson says Ian Blackford's dog made 'more sensible' contributions after barking during PMQs 'sleaze' clash

Boris Johnson has claimed Ian Blackford's dog made a “more sensible” contribution after barking during Prime Minister’s Questions.

The Prime Minister on Wednesday criticised the SNP Westminster leader, but praised Mr Blackford’s dog Maisie after being challenged over his texts to James Dyson and a lack of support for the self- employed.

Mr Johnson made the dig after the the dog was heard during the Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP’s question.

The SNP MP had accused the PM of being “at the very heart of this scandal” following the revelations.

He said: “Whether it’s cash for questions in the ‘90s, or texts for contracts during this pandemic, people know this is the same old story – this is how the Tories do Government.

“Will the Prime Minister reveal today how many more Covid contracts he personally fixed, and if he has nothing to hide? Will he publish all personal exchanges on these contracts before the end of the day?”

Responding, Mr Johnson said: “There’s absolutely nothing to conceal about this and I am happy to share all the details with the House, as indeed I have shared them with my officials immediately.

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford was today interrupted by his dog Maisie.

“It’s thanks to that immediate action that we’ve been able to roll out … to help the people of the whole United Kingdom to get access in record times to the vaccines on which we all depend.”

He added: “We’ve had to work at incredible speed and I think the people of this country understand that it’s sometimes necessary to act decisively to get things done.”

Mr Blackford then accused Mr Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak of not having “any time to support the millions of self-employed” at the start of the pandemic.

He said: “Those three million people didn’t have a David Cameron or a James Dyson to text the Prime Minister for them. They were on their own and they were left behind.”

Dismissing the comments, Mr Johnson said: “He says we had all the time in the world. In fact, as this House will recall, at the end of March last year the pandemic was taking off very fast and we had to act very fast as I think people up and down this country understand.

“I thought that his dog just made a more sensible contribution.”

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