Former British Prime Minister and Ukraine war enthusiast Boris Johnson is insinuating that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may have planted listening devices in his personal restroom in 2017 when Johnson served as Foreign Secretary. Johnson alleges that his security team uncovered bugging devices in the restroom after the Israeli leader made use of the facilities.
Johnson details this episode in his book Unleashed, where he refers to Netanyahu as “Bibi.” He recounts a meeting in his former office where Netanyahu excused himself to use the restroom, which Johnson described as akin to “the gents in a posh London club” and located within a “secret annex.”
Johnson has been asked for more information about the incident but declined to provide further details, saying everything pertinent to the episode could be found in his book. Official sources have not expanded upon Johnson’s discovery of the device and subsequent claims, and no further investigations have been reported.
The Foreign Office has not issued any statements regarding the alleged bugging incident. Israeli officials and other involved parties are also yet to respond to the allegations made in Johnson’s book.
Since leaving electoral politics, Johnson has focused on drumming up support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Earlier this year, he spoke on the war during a small breakout session at the Republic National Convention to a mostly empty crowd.
Johnson, who scuppered peace talks in 2022, later met with President Donald J. Trump to lobby for Ukraine.
