Boris Johnson took private jet to hold mysterious talks with Venezuelan dictator
Boris Johnson took a private jet to Venezuela to meet the country's dictator President for mysterious talks, it has emerged.
The shamed former PM, who quit as an MP last year, met with heavily-criticised leader Nicolas Maduro. Despite having no role in Government, Mr Johnson is claimed to have texted Foreign Secretary David Cameron on the way. His spokesman said he pleaded with Mr Maduro to embrace democracy and pressed him not to sell arms to Russia.
It raises questions about whether he is angling for a return to the political frontline in a fresh embarrassment for Rishi Sunak. Mr Johnson's biggest ally, Nadine Dorries, last night claimed bringing him back could save as many as 80 Tory seats.
The former PM was on holiday in the Dominican Republic when the puzzling meeting took place last month, the Sunday Times reports. Mr Johnson, who had been staying at the home of a super-rich relative, messaged Lord Cameron on the way, it is understood. It is unclear who instigated the talks, which saw Mr Johnson stay close to capital Caracas for less than 24 hours.
Mr Johnson's visit came amid growing pressure for Mr Maduro to hold proper democratic elections, six years after judges banned his opponents. Human rights groups have voiced their horror at his treatment of dissidents, and last month Venezuela kicked UN officials out of capital Caracas.
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A spokesman for Mr Johnson said: “ Boris Johnson met Venezuelan government officials with active support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the knowledge of the foreign secretary, in order to emphasise the need for Venezuela to embrace a proper democratic process.
“He repeatedly made clear there can be no hope of normalisation in relations until Venezuela fully embraces democracy and respects the territorial integrity of its neighbours. He also set out the case for the cause of Ukrainian victory to the government of Venezuela.”
A Foreign Office source told the Sunday Times: “It was a private visit but Boris texted the foreign secretary on the way.” It comes at an awkward time for British relations with Venezuela, which has claimed sovereignty over oil-rich Guyana.
Mr Johnson is reported to have been staying at the home of multimillionaire Sam Blyth, a distant cousin, who prevously guaranteed an £800,000 loan. The controversy around the loan led to the resignation of their mutual friend Richard Sharp, former BBC chairman, who didn't declare his role brokering the loan.
Mr Johnson's latest intervention could be embarrassing for Rishi Sunak, who is already battling dire poll ratings. Ms Dorries wrote in The Mail that only her former boss can save the Tories from a walloping at the polls.
She wrote: "If Boris came back for the General Election it could save as many as 80 MPs. It would give Conservatives hope, a reason to vote. If we go into an election and Boris is out in the cold, voters will simply stay at home and sit on their hands."
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