Virtue Signalling

If you read Bower’s book, in particular the chapters about his childhood, you will go somewhere understand why Boris is as he is.

Stanley Johnson had many peculiarities; including making the children’s nannies go about in the nude in their home in France.
This was to ‘save on the washing’

The family would have come under the scrutiny of Social Services under different circumstances

Eloethan of course, based on your posts on GN, I wouldn’t characterise you as loathsome but I would use that word to describe Owen Jones. Being left leaning doesn’t mean I share his views on everything.

MOnica’s post at 8.45 summarises what Charlotte described as the physical and emotional abuse at the hands of Stanley Johnson. Fiona Bruce didn’t add these allegations when she felt she must provide balance. It’s a pity Refuge lost a high profile supporter but better that she left. Anyone with any knowledge of domestic abuse would know causing a broken nose wouldn’t be an isolated incident.

M0nica

Eloethan I quote from an article in The Guardian

In the case of Stanley, his ex-wife, the late artist Charlotte Wahl, kept his abuse secret until four years ago when she told Boris’s biographer, Tom Bower, that their marriage had been “ghastly, terrible”. “I want the truth told,” she said about Stanley’s violence, which was witnessed by Boris. “He hit me many times, over many years.” Early on he resented her seeing her friends “and that’s when he first hit me”. Later, she was deposited in the country, without a car. “To adultery and violence, his family could add deserter.”

The fact someone has not been charged and investigated over crimes of domestic violence, does not mean that the crime did not happen and the quote above rather suggests that the public knowledge of his crimes extends beyond one occasion when he broke her nose.

Well said M0nica

Reading what the father was like, no wonder Boris is the shambling duplicitous bore he is.

Fiona Bruce simply quoted what had been said about SJ as context. She didn't offer her own assessment. Imho there was no cause to criticise her.

Grantanow

Fiona Bruce simply quoted what had been said about SJ as context. She didn't offer her own assessment. Imho there was no cause to criticise her.

You don't dance with the devil if you're Christian.

You can't support battered women and defend a wife beater.

Well put GagaJo.
I’d add that anyone with any knowledge of domestic abuse couldn’t have said what `fB said. She’s a highly skilled and experienced presenter whose links with Refuge should have stopped her making a statement that appeared to minimise domestic abuse. She added the caveat the broken nose incident was denied. She could have said ‘alleged’ incident and added the the former Mrs J has alleged she was subjected to physical and emotional abuse throughout her marriage.
She must be aware that an ‘accidental broken nose’ is highly unlikely to be a one off incident

Lilyflower

There was an amusing amount of VS on this thread of outrage.

Personally, I try to be as wicked as I possibly can and remain shtum about it. Is there a term for this? Possibly ‘being human’.

I struggle to notice when someone is virtue signalling.Plus I am useless at jokes.
Therefore much of this thread just baffles me.

GrannyGravy13

I happily admit to reading chi lit, when I am down and need a comfy blanket read I revert to Jilly Cooper (I have a not so secret crush on Rupert Campbell Black)

I am not sure I am 100% au-fait with virtual signalling is it not just boasting by another name?

My house is called Catmint Cottage.