Renowned actress and beloved LGBT icon, Miriam Margoyles, known for her candid and unapologetic nature, has opened up about her strong dislike for former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. In a recent interview with The Guardian, the 82-year-old star didn’t hold back in expressing her disdain for Johnson’s political decisions and their impact on her life.
Margoyles, famous for her roles in “The Age of Innocence” and the “Harry Potter” series, has always been vocal about her thoughts and opinions, whether it’s humorously critiquing fellow celebrities or revealing her adventurous past. However, her comments often carry a political undertone, as demonstrated last year when she referred to the UK’s current Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, with strong language during a live BBC Radio 4 broadcast.
In her latest interview, Margoyles directed her ire at Boris Johnson, citing that one of the reasons she despises him so vehemently is because his actions have directly affected her life. She revealed her desire to live with her partner of 54 years, Heather Sutherland, which they have never done despite their enduring relationship. The couple jointly purchased a house in Tuscany in 1973, and their aspiration was to spend their lives together there.
However, the impact of Brexit shattered their dream, as Margoyles explained that they can now only stay in their beloved house for up to 90 days in every 180 due to the new residency rules. Margoyles didn’t mince her words, denouncing Brexit as an “appalling catastrophe” that was intentionally engineered by the Tories, including Boris Johnson.
With Britain’s exit from the EU under Boris Johnson’s leadership, British citizens lost their freedom of movement within the EU, leading to restrictions on their ability to reside in countries like Italy, where Margoyles and Sutherland’s cherished home is located. Margoyles highlighted the stringent requirements for obtaining permanent residency, which include living in the country for five years.
In addition to her criticism of Boris Johnson, Margoyles didn’t spare his father, Stanley Johnson, from her frank commentary. She shared her rather unflattering view of Stanley Johnson, whom she had the opportunity to spend time with during their appearance on the BBC travel series “The Real Marigold Hotel” in 2018. Margoyles described him as “a complete a**ehole” and expressed her disappointment in his behavior during their time together.
While Margoyles may not mince her words, her candidness reflects the deep frustration felt by many who have been personally affected by the consequences of Brexit and the political decisions that have shaped the UK’s relationship with the EU.
Miriam Margoyles’ forthcoming book, “Oh Miriam!: Stories from an Extraordinary Life,” is set to be released on September 14, offering readers a deeper glimpse into her extraordinary journey.