Drama surrounds Boris Johnson’s planned appearance at this year’s Cheltenham Literature Festival. The former Prime Minister is set to speak at Cheltenham Racecourse next Thursday (October 10).
However, a top Sky News journalist has revealed on X that they have pulled out of the event. Beth Rigby said she can’t go ahead with it as she is “not allowed make an audio recording or transcript of the interview”.
She said in a post on X: “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.”
Organisers of the event previously said Boris’ appearance will be an “unrestrained and deeply revealing” conversation. He is expected to discuss some of his big decisions at Prime Minister, including Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Cheltenham Literature Festival website reads: “From winning the London mayoral race in 2008 to becoming Prime Minister, Boris Johnson is a politician who has dominated our times.
“Discussing Brexit, Covid and beyond, spanning the big decisions during his time in power and the reasons he took them, the former Prime Minister reflects on his premiership during turbulent times in an unrestrained and deeply revealing conversation with The Times columnist Juliet Samuel.”
Tickets to the event cost £50 each. This includes a signed hardback copy of the book which retails at £30.