Johnson ‘the Pep Guardiola of politics’ despite Supreme Court defeat, says Gove

Boris Johnson is a winner like Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, a Cabinet minister claimed – despite the devastating Supreme Court defeat for the Government.

Michael Gove said the Prime Minister was a “born winner” despite evidence to the contrary in the form of the legal humiliation and a string of Commons defeats.

“I think it is only fair to say that Boris is the Pep Guardiola of British politics,” Mr Gove said.

The comparison was one which plenty on social media, including Match of the Day host Gary Lineker, appeared to disagree with.

“If Pep Guardiola had a run of results like Boris Johnson, he’d be sacked,” the 1986 Golden Boot winner tweeted.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who was defeated by Mr Johnson in the Tory leadership race, sought to play down the impact of the Supreme Court ruling that the suspension of Parliament was unlawful.

“As ever the Prime Minister is optimistic and committed to doing the best for the country,” he told LBC.

Asked about the court “humiliation” he said: “Words like humiliation are good journalistic hyperbole.”

In response to a question on whether the Prime Minister’s losing streak would be longer than Tottenham Hotspur’s, Mr Gove said: “No, look, the Prime Minister is a born winner … he was mayor of London twice, he beat Ken Livingstone twice.”