Former Tory leader Boris Johnson has boldly stated that broadcaster Emily Maitlis was getting "pretty revved up" during Channel 4's coverage of the US election, just moments before his abrupt exit from the panel.
The ex-Prime Minister maintains his departure from Washington was due to flight arrangements, countering co-host Krishnan Guru-Murthy's suggestion that he was "fired" for repeatedly promoting his new memoir on air.
"I had the great privilege of spending US election night with Emily Maitlis as she began her gradual descent into madness," Johnson penned in his Daily Mail column.
He expressed regret at having to leave the Channel 4 studio early, lamenting: "Unfortunately, I had to leave the Channel 4 studio early to catch a plane back from Washington to London."
The politician continued, noting he didn't see Maitlis's full reaction as states turned Republican red but could tell she was beginning to get agitated, reports the Mirror.
The unforgettable exchange unfolded live when Maitlis challenged Boris on whether he was seeking to emulate Trump's political resurgence, which led to him plugging his book 'Unleashed'.
Maitlis pressed him: "We are not all going to read your book, so just tell us, do you want to have a political comeback... You can't actually answer a single question."
Johnson responded confidently about his focus on his book promotion, momentarily setting politics aside: "By the way Emily I've answered all your questions all night. Currently I am blissfully engaged promoting my book Unleashed, available in all good book stores."
After facing questioning, Mr Johnson declared: "Here is Channel 4 news, run by Ian Katz, sitting here doing the same old stunt that you tried in 2004 taking a massively skewed approach to a US election. I'm not standing for election here."
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On the broadcast, Stormy Daniels, central to Trump's hush money controversy, cornered Mr Johnson, enquiring whether he'd trust leaving his daughter with Donald Trump given their camaraderie.
"I don't see why not... yes," was Mr Johnson's immediate reply at the moment, dubbing his exchanges with Trump as "courteous" and "polite".
Reflecting in his newspaper column, Mr Johnson mused: "Having thought about it I should say that I would certainly be a bit worried about leaving the President-elect alone with some of my progeny but only out of concern for the personal safety of Donald Trump."
Daily Express has reached out for a comment from a representative for Maitlis.
