Before Clinton meeting, London mayor is sure Hillary won't mind horrible things he's said about her

Boris Johnson once called Hillary Clinton a &quot;sadistic mental health nurse.&quot;

(Image credit: BBC/YouTube)

published 12 February 2015

Boris Johnson, the colorful mayor of London, is in the U.S. to conduct a profile-raising "charm offensive," the BBC reports — and Johnson is eminently capable of both charm and offense, sometimes at the same moment. On his tour, Johnson is meeting with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, so on Wednesday, the BBC asked the mayor about comments he made in 2007, where he likened Clinton to a "sadistic mental health nurse" who "represents everything I came into politics to oppose."

A lesser politician may have been flustered, but Johnson wasn't. "As I'm sure you'll accept," he said, "the senator is a very distinguished politicians, and I'm sure she will take those words in the light-hearted sprit which they were intended and written, and many years ago." That may be true, but she might be more forgiving if he refers to her as madam secretary. Watch the whole, entertaining report below. —Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.