Boris Johnson cuts Australian book tour short amid controversy

In Australia, Boris Johnson, the former UK prime minister, has significantly shortened his book tour, cancelling a scheduled event in Melbourne. This decision follows an earlier announcement about his tour to promote his political memoir titled 'Unleashed.' He was intended to hold a dinner at the Sofitel hotel in Melbourne on Saturday, which was tailored to enhance engagement with his followers and discuss key decisions made during his time as prime minister. However, Johnson's publicist, Max Markson, notified that unforeseen circumstances necessitated an earlier return to the UK, resulting in the unfortunate cancellation of the Melbourne event. The Melbourne event was originally planned to occur after a show in Sydney, which remains unaffected and will continue as scheduled on Friday. According to Markson, ticket sales did not influence the decision to cancel the Melbourne dinner, which suggests that the reasons behind the cancellation are of a more pressing nature. Refund options have been offered, allowing for attendees of the Melbourne event to transfer their tickets to the Sydney show or receive a full refund, thereby attempting to mitigate any dissatisfaction caused by the last-minute change in plans. Johnson, who was seen as 'hugely excited' about this tour, has faced his own share of challenges in recent times. His memoir delves into critical moments during his political career, including the hurdles presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, the London Olympics, and the ongoing debates surrounding Brexit. As a public figure, he has faced significant scrutiny, particularly following his resignation as prime minister in 2022 amid political pressures and the fallout from the Partygate scandal, where he was accused of misleading parliament. The tour in Australia was expected to invite discussions that would shed light on Johnson's role in shaping UK politics during tumultuous times. It would have provided a platform for attendees to engage directly with Johnson through an interactive Q&A session, where they could gain deeper insights into his viewpoints on pressing issues faced during his tenure. However, with the cancellation in Melbourne, it remains uncertain how this will impact public interest and engagement for the remainder of the tour, particularly in Sydney, where guests anticipate a long lunch with the former leader. The cancellation has raised questions about Johnson's current viability as a public speaker and author, especially in light of the controversies that have surrounded his political career.