We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
SKY NEWS JOURNALIST Beth Rigby has pulled out of an interview with former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson after being told that she was not allowed to record or make a transcript of her interview.
It comes just two days after BBC journalist Laura Kuenssberg was forced to cancel her interview with Johnson after she accidentally sent the former PM briefing notes on the interview intended for her team.
Rigby, who is Sky News’ political editor, was meant to be interviewing Johnson at The Times and Sunday Times Literature Festival in Cheltenham on 10 October. Johnson is promoting his memoir, Unleashed, in which he reveals “what really happened during [his] time as Mayor, Foreign Secretary and PM.”
In a post on X, Rigby said: “I was looking forward to interviewing Boris Johnson at Cheltenham, but regrettably I can’t go ahead with the event because I am not allowed make an audio recording or transcript of the interview.
“As a journalist in conversation with a former PM at a public event, I can only proceed if we do it on the record. I’m sorry to have to pull out.”
I was looking forward to interviewing Boris Johnson at Cheltenham, but regrettably I can’t go ahead with the event because I am not allowed make an audio recording or transcript of the interview.
— Beth Rigby (@BethRigby) October 4, 2024
As a journalist in conversation with a former PM at a public event, I can only… https://t.co/P7kgHgfbCH
Johnson’s memoir is set to be published on 10 October, though there have been various extracts published ahead of its official publication. According to an extract, published in The Daily Mail in the UK last week, the former Prime Minister said the British government considered raiding a Dutch warehouse for Covid vaccines in 2021.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
I’m starting to wonder if Johnson is orchestrating all this to create free publicity for his new book.
@james rowan: It’s because they can’t guarantee Beth Rigby’s safety with BoJo!
A very fine journalist she is, she was excellent interviewing Keir Starmer recently. Tis a shame we don’t have the likes of her in RTE and we’ve to suffer through the likes of Miriam instead
@qffaffaf affrafrfraf: RTE provides unbiased news and opinions just like The Journal
@qffaffaf affrafrfraf: RTE provides unbiased news and opinions just like The Journal
@Fintan Pox: you have a wicked sense of sarcasm. I like it!
@qffaffaf affrafrfraf: bullshine.
@Fintan Pox: Unbiased other than the fact, that the Journal constantly closes comment reply. One would assume that with modern technology, there could be a method of weeding out unsavoury or rude comments that might compromise the Journal’s name. A lapsed period scrutiny before publication ?
Anyone who pays for the book is an eejit. Hopefully a pdf pirate copy will circulate on massaging apps and deprive him of royalties
@Louise Marie: anyone who would subject themselves to a skewed, lie filled book like Johnsons’, whether free or paid for, is an eejit.
@Louise Marie: pirate copies never changed royalties. Specially on “massaging app”
@Louise Marie: Hopefully you get the help you need, because the stuff you are posting on Facebook is disgusting, seriously, get help.
@Colm O’ Shea: Point well made.
@Fintan Pox: The irony of one such as yourself saying that!
What’s the point of an interview if can’t record for accuracy?
Monkey boy still pulling the strings
Who cares he’s a jester and a fake.
@Phillip Smyth: I could see him do a night or two in the out back on the “I’m a nobody, get me out of here” for a million or more.
The most biased and appalling interview I have ever seen was when Brian Dobson interviewed Bertie Ahern in 2006 about his financial affairs, that was none of our business, why the interest, none of our business
@Fintan Pox: Finland, you seem to be blind to facts or more aptly you don’t want to hear or see the truth.
Russia would be half way across Poland by now except for Boris.
She might actually ask him some questions about his car crash time in office, ludicrous claims in his ‘book’ and attempt to hold him to account just a fraction of the buffoonery, party gate, Brexit, etc. etc. They couldn’t be dealing with any of that.
Chapter 99 How I went to Ukraine and tore up a peace agreement that resulted in the death of hundreds of thousands.
Shafted Ukraine over too boot
@Kjg: He was the only European leader who did something to prepare to defend Ukraine when Trump warned that Putin was outsmarting them. Fake(pro Russia) media twisted this valid warning into a claim that Trump was praising Putin.
@thomas molloy: I think only Fianna Fail can bring peace to the Middle East, they did it in Northern Ireland, they can do it again.
@Fintan Pox: The theological indoctrination of a newer religion to replace by force an older religion is a similarly. Protestantism extinguishing Catholicism and Islam exterminating Judaism.
@thomas molloy: Yeah the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the Ottoman Empire forced the yugoslavians to convert, heard it all before .so don’t come at me with your rubbish, I know what it’s all about
@thomas molloy: on US orders ?
@Fintan Pox: won it on the gg s pox good information tenant in a house that was left to his daughters nothing to see except corruption the f.f way
@thomas molloy: you, enjoy fantasy fiction.
The Journal comments section is a disabled toilet.
Since this is the only post that is still open to comment.I cannot see why we can’t read the comments after they have been closed or has that something to do with ” freedom of information” ,will be amazed if I get a reply.
I’ll look for it in the fiction section when it’s released. Or else two days after when it will be in the bargain bin. But more than likely not at all.
I presume that Boris imposed the ban. Quire right,as Boris is a pathological liar, criminal and a total ego, I can see why the ban by him.
have your say