No. 10 refuses to say if PM thinks black people have lower IQs
Anger as official spokesman refuses to distance Boris Johnson from departed aide

There has been an outcry after Boris Johnson’s spokesman declined to say whether the prime minister thinks black people have lower IQs on average.
During what The Guardian describes as a “tense briefing with the media,” the prime minister’s deputy official spokesman refused several opportunities to distance Johnson from the views of his former adviser, Andrew Sabisky, who had claimed in the past that black Americans have a lower than average IQ than white Americans and are more likely to have an “intellectual disability”.
According to reports, the deputy spokesman refused “32 times” to say whether the prime minister shared Sabisky's opinions, and would only say Johnson's views were “well publicised and documented”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Asked whether the “well publicised” views were a reference to Johnson's articles referring to black people as “piccaninnies” and having “watermelon smiles”, the deputy spokesman said: “As I've said, the prime minister's views are well publicised and well documented.” A full transcript of the exchanges can be read here.
The controversial Sabisky, 27, also suggested “enforced contraception” be used to prevent the creation of a “permanent underclass,” and tweeted: “I am always straight up in saying that women’s sport is more comparable to the Paralympics than it is to men’s.”
Following yesterday's media briefing, Downing Street announced that Sabisky has resigned. Commenting on his exit, Sabisky tweeted: “I wanted to help the government not be a distraction... accordingly I've decided to resign.”
Opposition figures had demanded that Downing Street sack Sabisky, who was hired by Johnson’s de facto chief of staff, Dominic Cummings, to work on special projects.
Labour party chairman Ian Lavery said: “It is disgusting that not only has Number 10 failed to condemn Andrew Sabisky's appalling comments, but also seems to have endorsed the idea that white people are more intelligent than black people.
“Boris Johnson should have the backbone to make a statement in his own words on why he has made this appointment, whether he stands by it, and his own views on the subject of eugenics.”
Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon told The Independent: “These are really not acceptable headlines for any government to be generating - or allowing to be generated. They need to get a grip fast and demonstrate some basic but fundamental values in the terms of our public debate.”
The Daily Mail says ministers and their special advisers had been “flatly refusing” to work with Sabisky after he was found to have “advocated extreme positions”.
Alex Wickham, Buzzfeed’s senior political correspondent, tweeted that the cabinet was in “open revolt” over the issue. One source said: “Did nobody consider google? Jesus f**king Christ”.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - March 30, 2025
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - strawberry fields forever, secret files, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 hilariously sparse cartoons about further DOGE cuts
Cartoons Artists take on free audits, report cards, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Following the Tea Horse Road in China
The Week Recommends This network of roads and trails served as vital trading routes
By The Week UK Published
-
Deportation of Ohio's Haitians could spark economic turmoil
The Explainer Temporary protected status (TPS) is set to expire for 500,000 Haitians in August
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Has Starmer put Britain back on the world stage?
Talking Point UK takes leading role in Europe on Ukraine and Starmer praised as credible 'bridge' with the US under Trump
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Left on read: Labour's WhatsApp dilemma
Talking Point Andrew Gwynne has been sacked as health minister over messages posted in a Labour WhatsApp group
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
New Year's Honours: why the controversy?
Today's Big Question London Mayor Sadiq Khan and England men's football manager Gareth Southgate have both received a knighthood despite debatable records
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is there a Christmas curse on Downing Street?
Today's Big Question Keir Starmer could follow a long line of prime ministers forced to swap festive cheer for the dreaded Christmas crisis
By The Week UK Published
-
John Prescott: was he Labour's last link to the working class?
Today's Big Quesiton 'A total one-off': tributes have poured in for the former deputy PM and trade unionist
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Last hopes for justice for UK's nuclear test veterans
Under the Radar Thousands of ex-service personnel say their lives have been blighted by aggressive cancers and genetic mutations
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Donald Trump wreck the Brexit deal?
Today's Big Question President-elect's victory could help UK's reset with the EU, but a free-trade agreement with the US to dodge his threatened tariffs could hinder it
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published