London: As the UK formally ended its ties with the European Union on December 31, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s father Stanley said he would be applying for French citizenship.
Stanley, a member of the ruling Conservative Party, had voted for the UK to remain in the EU during the 2016 Brexit vote, while his son Boris led the ‘Leave’ campaign and eventually becoming Prime Minister.
Asked why he wants to become a French citizen at this age, the 80-year-old Stanley said he considers himself French since his mother was born there.
“It’s not about becoming French. If I understand correctly I am French! My mother was born in France, her mother was completely French as was her grandfather,” he told RTL radio station.
Aged 80, Stanley was among the first civil servants from the UK to work for the EU after the country joined the bloc in 1973, according to France24. He also served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) between 1979 and 1984 from the Conservative Party, and later went on to work for the European Commission.
“I will always be European, that’s for sure,” Johnson said. “For me it’s a question of obtaining what I already have and I am very happy about that.”
Boris’ sister Rachel Johnson, a journalist, has said she also would apply to become a French national.
