Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

'He's basically a decent man’: Helena Bonham Carter defends friendship with David Cameron

‘He’s not like Boris, who’s an egomaniac,’ actor said

Adam White
Sunday 03 November 2019 09:35 GMT
Comments
The Crown season 3 trailer

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Helena Bonham Carter has defended her friendship with David Cameron, while arguing that the former PM is “basically a decent man”.

With Cameron and Brexit, what I find is a shame – and people will hate to hear this – but he’s basically a decent man,” the actor said. “People want to hate him and rubbish him and decide that he’s all sorts of things, but contradictory things can coexist.”

Bonham Carter continued: “Yes, he made the wrong decision that’s had a calamitous impact, but alongside that, in disposition, he’s much more well balanced than any of our world leaders at this time, and he has an intelligence.

“He had an amazing ability to withstand pressure. There are certain qualities that don’t translate on screen – humour and intelligence. If you meet him, then you go, ‘Oh, I get it, you’re incredibly clever and funny.’ And I feel like one massive thing then disqualifies all qualities.”

When prodded by The Sunday Times Magazine on Cameron’s actions in the immediate aftermath of the Brexit vote, Bonham Carter said: “I don’t think he had a choice. I don’t think he is a ‘run-awayer’. He has got a huge responsibility – not to himself, like Boris, who’s an egomaniac, or Trump – but to the country.”

In 2011, Bonham Carter and her former husband Tim Burton were photographed alongside Cameron, his wife Samantha and Michael Gove on a walk near Chequers.

“It was hilarious, surreal,” Bonham Carter said of the trip, adding that she is “not not close” to the Camerons today. “I just haven’t seen them. I think they’ve been pretty busy.”

Bonham Carter returns to TV screens this month as Princess Margaret in the eagerly anticipated third season of The Crown. All episodes will arrive on Netflix on 17 November.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in