Boris Johnson says it is ‘magnifique’ father Stanley has French citizenship
The Prime Minister’s father, a former MEP, said he is ‘absolutely delighted’ to have acquired the nationality.
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.Prime Minister’s father Stanley Johnson has said he is “absolutely delighted” to retain a tie with the European Union after Brexit by acquiring French citizenship.
The former member of the European Parliament (MEP) said on Friday that son Boris Johnson responded to the news with one word: “Magnifique.”
France’s justice ministry confirmed Stanley Johnson, whose mother was French, secured the dual nationality on Wednesday, after he applied in November 2021.
“This decision only regards Mr Stanley Johnson and does not extend to his descendants,” a statement said.
It’s a tiny gesture on my part that I certainly don't regard ourselves as being cast aside from Europe
Mr Johnson, who is 81 and was born in Cornwall, voted to remain in the EU in the 2016 referendum, unlike his son who was a figurehead for Vote Leave and ultimately led Britain out of the bloc at the end of 2020.
Speaking to the PA news agency, Stanley Johnson said: “I’m absolutely delighted and have no idea at what level this decision was taken but I do think it was a very imaginative thing to do at this moment, at a time when relations with France and the EU are not necessarily the best. I think it’s very nice for arms to be stretched out one way or another.
“I got a one word reply from Boris, which said, ‘Magnifique’.”
Stanley Johnson said the “most significant reason was really sentimental”, with his mother Irene Williams having been born in Versailles.
But, secondarily, he added: “It was a little gesture of saying that although the UK may have left the EU we haven’t actually left Europe.
“It’s a tiny gesture on my part that I certainly don’t regard ourselves as being cast aside from Europe and I would say realistically as we look ahead and try to solve these trade issues, the only way we’re going to solve them is to retain a degree of commonality in our two systems.“
Asked how it is to be a citizen of the EU once again, he replied “Pourquoi pas? J’en suis tres fier”, or “why not, I’m very proud of it”.
Stanley Johnson was one of the first civil servants from the UK to work in Brussels after the UK joined the bloc in 1973.
He joked: “Maybe I could stand for the European Parliament again for a French constituency.”
No 10 declined to discuss Mr Johnson’s new citizenship, saying it is “a personal matter for the Prime Minister’s father”.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.