Health expert brands Johnson's 'extra £350m for NHS' claim 'misleading untruth'
Foreign secretary Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson's comment that the Leave campaign under-estimated when it claimed Brexit would allow an extra £350m to be spent on the NHS weekly has been branded "ridiculous".
Leading health expert Professor Sir Michael Marmot said the Brexit campaign's highly controversial claim has already been confirmed "a lie".
The academic also said the history books would remember Mr Johnson as "one of the best guests on Have I Got News For You".
The foreign secretary claimed the official Vote Leave campaign could have used a higher figure as the UK's gross contribution would rise to £438m by 2021, the last year of an expected transition period.
According to the Guardian, he claimed Britain's contribution to the EU budget was already at £362m a week.
You may also want to watch:
Mr Johnson told the newspaper: "There was an error on the side of the bus. We grossly under-estimated the sum over which we would be able to take back control."
He added: "As and when the cash becomes available - and it won't until we leave - the NHS should be at the very top of the list."
Most Read
- 1 Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid reject Boris Johnson's coronavirus claim
- 2 Nigel Farage reminded of claim that 'acid test of Brexit' surrounds fishing after clip resurfaces
- 3 Sky News presenter says Boris Johnson is 'gaslighting the nation' over Covid claims
- 4 Pro-Brexit fishing campaigner says Boris Johnson's deal has left her with 'no fish'
- 5 PMQs: Boris Johnson calls for apology from Keir Starmer over coronavirus stances
- 6 Home Office launches voluntary repatriation scheme for EU nationals
- 7 European parliament agrees to add British overseas territories to post-Brexit tax haven blacklist
- 8 Jeremy Corbyn loses bid to release Labour documents ahead of High Court battle
- 9 Boris Johnson is the 'worst PM' and should resign, says Alastair Campbell
- 10 Nicola Sturgeon tells Boris Johnson to 'work from home' instead as he plans trip to Scotland
Speaking at a press conference in London about reducing health inequalities, Sir Michael was asked what he made of Mr Johnson's claim.
"I think, when the history of the 21st century is written, Boris Johnson will go down as one of the best guests on Have I Got News For You.
"It's a ridiculous thing to say. It's been pointed out by the statistics authority, the national statistics authority that that is totally misleading," he said.
Sir Michael added: "He does say 'gross'. Gross is a good word to use actually ... but that's not the relevant bit."
The academic said the claim has been shown to be "a lie", adding: "It's an untruth. It's misleading. I'm not sure what other word to use."
The claim first attracted criticism during the referendum campaign, when Mr Johnson was travelling around the country in a Vote Leave bus emblazoned with the slogan "We send the EU £350 million a week - let's fund our NHS instead".
Also speaking at the press conference, David Taylor, emeritus professor of pharmaceutical and public health policy at UCL, said people who voted Brexit want a well-funded health service and it would be "tragic" if they were being misled.
READ MORE: Gross dishonesty: Why Boris' latest £350m claim is an admission of guilt
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
