British Prime Minister Boris Johnson found himself the butt of the joke after his shuffling, fidgety behaviour during a joint press conference with Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
The two leaders met in Dublin to discuss Britain’s departure from the European Union and the impact that would have on both countries.
Varadkar spoke calmly and politely but nevertheless delivered some devastating home truths to Johnson about his plan to take Britain out without a deal in place on October 31, come what may.
Ireland and the rest of the EU, together with at least half the population of Britain, fear this would be damaging to everyone involved.
Johnson fidgets and looks uncomfortable and then suddenly rubs his hands through his hair before stretching out his arms full length. Varadkar carried on regardless, delivering his devastating assessment of Britain’s approach to Brexit.
It wasn’t long before the British and Irish public were having some fun with Johnson for his strange behaviour.
First the original video, described as disrespectful by many British observers.
Boris Johnson’s extraordinarily rude behaviour whilst Leo Varadkar is giving a speech.
This is the behaviour one would expect from an unruly toddler, not a prime minister.
Imagine the headlines if Jeremy Corbyn so much as sneezed!
— Nicola James ??#RegisterToVote (@NAJ562) September 9, 2019
Then we have the parodies with people showing great imagination and technical expertise.
Can’t stand still for more than a minute before doing something for attention. #NotMyPrimeMinister pic.twitter.com/veyBfH5B1b
— HappyToast ★ (@IamHappyToast) September 9, 2019
The ‘organ grinder’ featured below is Dominic Cummings, who led the Leave campaign. He’s widely regarded as the man behind Boris Johnson’s claim that Britain would have an extra £350m a week to invest in its health service if it left the EU.
It swayed many people to vote for Brexit but Johnson has since reneged on the promise.
Cummings was appointed chief of staff by Johnson after he became Prime Minister. Cummings is widely regarded as the puppet master pulling Johnson’s strings.
#BorisJohnson with his Organ Grinder pic.twitter.com/l5ObFwPSX4
— HappyToast ★ (@IamHappyToast) September 9, 2019
Bojo the clown performs his latest trick… pic.twitter.com/6Vn3U5GKQz
— JOE.ie (@JOEdotie) September 9, 2019
Parody Boris Johnson
The reason I look so uncomfortable is that we failed to anticipate the curve ball that Leo Varadkar would throw by just standing there and blatantly telling the truth. pic.twitter.com/MGnLh559TF
— Parody Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson_MP) September 9, 2019
And the British love Father Ted almost as much as we do.
Leo Varadkar explains Brexit to Boris Johnson pic.twitter.com/8OvxVwpDYx
— dave M ❄️ ? (@davemacladd) September 9, 2019