Cameron offered Johnson senior Cabinet role to secure Remain support
Newly revealed details from a BBC documentary show David Cameron proposed a top-five ministerial position to Boris Johnson in early 2016, contingent on the former foreign secretary supporting the campaign to remain in the European Union.
Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron offered former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson a senior Cabinet position in early 2016 on the condition that Johnson campaigned for the UK to remain in the European Union, according to a new BBC documentary. The revelation, made in the first episode of the two-part series A Very British Civil War, marks the 10th anniversary of the Brexit referendum and details a pivotal moment in the lead-up to the vote.
The offer was discussed during a tennis match at the US ambassador’s residence next to Regent’s Park in London. Johnson, who initially engaged with the proposal out of curiosity, noted in the documentary that he was unsure of the specific hierarchy, identifying the Prime Minister, Chancellor, Home Secretary, and Foreign Secretary as the clear top four, but describing the fifth position as a mystery.
Cameron confirmed the offer in the programme, stating he did not specify the exact job but cited Defence Secretary as an example of a top-five role to demonstrate Johnson’s value to the government. The former prime minister, now a peer, explained that he wanted Johnson to understand he would be a major part of the government going forward if he joined the Remain campaign.
Craig Oliver, Cameron’s former director of communications, stated that the then prime minister returned from the tennis match feeling doubly good, having beaten Johnson at the sport and believing he had secured a concession for Johnson to join the government. However, Johnson ultimately rejected the offer and announced his support for leaving the EU in February 2016, four months before the referendum.
Johnson’s decision to back Brexit was described as a blow to Cameron, who had previously pleaded with Johnson to avoid linking arms with Nigel Farage and George Galloway in backing a British exit. Justice Secretary Michael Gove had already announced his support for leaving the EU prior to Johnson’s decision, further complicating Cameron’s efforts to maintain a unified government stance.