Boris Johnson's dad just called the entire British public illiterate

Prime Minister's dad Stanley Johnson was on the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire show

Boris Johnson's father believes that you are illiterate.

In an interview today he responded to criticism of his son by questioning the public's literacy skills.

Speaking on the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire show, Stanley Johnson was quizzed about his eldest son's integrity.

Derbyshire said: "Another point made in the comments from viewers was somebody calling your son Pinocchio."

The former MEP replied: "That requires a degree of literacy which I think the Great British public doesn't necessarily have."

Seeming surprised the host responded: "What do you mean by that?"

"I am not going to get into that," he replied seemingly trying to row back from his comments.

He was pushed further with Victoria Derbyshire asking: "Well that is quite a pejorative thing to say about the Great British public."

All pretense at diplomacy abandoned, he said: "They couldn't spell Pinocchio if they tried I should have thought."

Derbyshire responded: "Why would you say that?" with Johnson replying: "Well can you spell Pinocchio?"

Victoria Derbyshire added: "Whether I can or not I don't think it is something to be critical of."

Stanley Johnson, who had previously voted remain, said: "I go back to what I was said before and I was trying to say it in a humorous way.

"I think that it is utterly absurd and wrong that you can read out on air a tweet which calls the Prime Minister a liar, I think it is amazing you can do that."

People have reacted angrily to the comments: