Johnson backs tabloid in ‘censorship’ row

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson yesterday hit out at what he termed the “pompous, censorious” decision by Richard Branson’s Virgin Trains to stop selling the right-wing Daily Mail tabloid.The train operator is no longer stocking copies on board following concerns among staff about the way the mass-selling newspaper reports on issues such as immigration and gay rights.In response, the Mail accused Virgin Trains of politically-motivated censorship, implying that its pro-Brexit stance was at odds with that of Branson, the British tycoon who created the Virgin Group.Johnson weighed into the row yesterday, tweeting: “Absurd ban on Daily Mail by Virgin! Pompous, censorious and wrong #virginontheridiculous”. However, the move was welcomed by the campaign group Stop Funding Hate, which seeks to persuade firms to cease advertising with right-wing publications.In the memo to staff in November, which was made public on Tuesday, Virgin Trains said: “There’s been considerable concern raised by colleagues about The Daily Mail’s editorial position on issues such as immigration, LGBT rights and unemployment.“After due consideration, we’ve decided that this particular paper is not at all compatible with the VT brand and our beliefs.”The Daily Mail responded that it had been informed that the company was restricting sales to just three newspapers — the Daily Mirror, Financial Times and the Times — “to save space”.It added: “They gave no other reason, but it may be no coincidence that all those titles, like Virgin owner Sir Richard Branson, are pro-Remain,” meaning they all opposed Britain’s withdrawal from the EU.Prime Minister Theresa May’s spokesman said it was the company’s decision, but added: “She has always been clear on the importance of a free press to our democracy and our society.”