22 July 2023 , 16:35
621
0
His political career collapsed spectacularly when so many of his blunders were unearthed.
So Boris Johnson could be forgiven for not wanting the past to be dug up yet again.
But parish councillors are calling for archaeologists to excavate land around his Oxfordshire village mansion – as its five-acre grounds are believed to have been the site of a 12th-century siege castle.
They acted after studying his plans for a 36ft swimming pool at the £3.8million pile.
An official objection was raised at a meeting last week.
Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade
A source said: “We want an archaeological dig to be made before any permission for the pool is given.”
Johnson's home in the picturesque Oxfordshire village (Geoffrey Swaine/REX/Shutterstock)The prospect is ironic as the former Tory leader is always boasting about his love of ancient history.
In his resignation speech as PM last year, he referenced fifth-century BC Roman leader Cincinnatus to hint at a comeback.
The former Oxford classics scholar peppers speeches with Latin and ancient Greek quotes, once wrote a book about the Roman empire and even wore a toga to protest at plans to axe ancient history A-level as an MP.
Mr Johnson, 59, wife Carrie, 35, and their three kids moved to Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, near Wallingford, in May.
The former PM with his wife Carrie (Getty Images)Their 400-year-old, nine-bed property boasts a walled garden, moat and tennis courts.
Mr Johnson resigned as an MP last month ahead of a damning Commons report that found he had lied to Parliament over Partygate.
The public footed the £245,000 bill for his lawyers during the Privileges Committee investigation.
Planners at South Oxfordshire District Council will make a ruling on the archaeology dig at Mr Johnson’s house next month.
If his proposed pool gets the green light, the former PM will be following in the footsteps of ex-colleague Rishi Sunak, who recently completed work on a heated swimming pool at his North Yorkshire manor house.
Richard 'shuts up' GMB guest who says Hancock 'deserved' being called 'd***head'
Mr Johnson was asked for comment.