City
Epaper

Johnson compares Brexit to torment of Greek god Prometheus

By IANS | Updated: September 25, 2019 16:10 IST

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson compared Brexit to the eternal torment of Greek god Prometheus having his liver pecked out by an eagle in a bizarre speech to the UN General Assembly, the media reported.

Open in App

The Prime Minister, who has returned to London following the Supreme Court verdict that ruled his decision to suspend Parliament as unlawful, spoke on Tuesday of "terrifying limbless chickens" and "pink-eyed terminators" as he compared Remainers' treatment of those who voted to leave the European Union (EU) to Zeus as he eternally tormented Prometheus, The Daily Mail reported.

Johnson only mentioned Brexit once during his speech at the UNGA.

During his 20-minute address that drew laughs and baffled looks from delegates, Johnson warned of technology's capacity to control citizens. But he made no mention of the court ruling.

Tuesday's historic ruling had plunged his plans to exit the EU by October 31 into crisis and sparked calls by opposition MPs that he resign immediately.

In his speech, Johnson referenced one of his favourite subjects, Greek mythology, by telling the story of Zeus punishing Prometheus by ensuring that an eagle ate his liver over and over again.

"This went on forever. A bit like the experience of Brexit in the UK if some of our parliamentar had their way," he said, drawing laughs from the remaining delegates in the largely deserted hall.

Johnson also painted the possibility of a future where devices in every household "monitor your nightmares, monitor your fridge", and where smart cities are "as antiseptic as a Zurich pharmacy".

"Alexa will pretend to take orders but this Alexa will be watching you, clapping her tongue and stamping her foot," Johnson said, adding that "there may be nowhere to hide".

"AI (Artificial Intelligence), what will it mean?" he asked. "Helpful robots washing and caring for an ageing population or pink-eyed terminators sent back from the future to cull the human race?"

He went on to wonder whether synthetic biology could restore tissues "like some fantastic hangover cure" or "bring terrifying limbless chickens to our tables", The Daily Mail reported.

He also poked fun at France during his speech, reminiscing about how when he was Mayor of London the city had more Michelin stars than Paris.

The Prime Minister invited Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to London, but still called for "progress" on the cases of Britons jailed in Tehran.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: JohnsonLondonThe Supreme CourtThe Daily Mailalexa
Open in App

Related Stories

MumbaiMumbai Crime: Fraudsters Use Fake ED, SEBI Letters to Dupe Retired London Auditor of ₹15 Lakh; Cyber Police Recover Entire Amount

PuneNilesh Ghaywal, Pune Gangster and Accused in Kothrud Firing Case, Flees to London

BusinessTata Motors Shares Fall After JLR Faces ₹20,000 Crore Cyberattack Erasing FY25 Profits

InternationalDonald Trump Says London Mayor Sadiq Khan Among 'Worst' in World, Claims He Blocked Him from Royal Banquet

EntertainmentAnoushka Shankar and Arijit Singh Team Up for a Special Performance in London, Sitarist Says ‘There’s more to come’

International Realted Stories

InternationalIndia sends rabies aid to Timor-Leste as Island nation battles outbreak

InternationalIndia, Bahrain welcome progress in Bilateral Investment Treaty negotiations, express commitment to combat cross-border terrorism

InternationalUnion Minister Bhupendra Yadav departs to attend COP 30 in Brazil

InternationalEuropean Union negotiators arrive in India for trade talks

InternationalUAE expresses solidarity with Afghanistan, conveys condolences over victims of Mazar-e Sharif earthquake