UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson The Australian will cut its book short after canceling the Melbourne event this week.
Johnson was due to speak at a dinner at the Sofitel hotel in Melbourne on Saturday to promote it His political commentary is carried over. The event was to be followed by another show in Sydney, which will take place on Friday.
Australian publicist Max Markson, who is promoting the tour, confirmed the cancellation to Guardian Australia in Melbourne.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances, Mr Johnson has had to return to the UK a day earlier than planned, so regrettably, the Melbourne event has to be cancelled,” he said in a statement.
“We would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused, and we would like to announce that all Melbourne to Sydney tickets will be transferred, or fully refundable.”
Asked if there was a demand for ticket sales after the Melbourne event was cancelled, Markson said “no”.
In a social media video message to promote the event last month, Johnson said he was “very excited” to travel to Australia.
The event page for Johnson’s Sydney event, to be held at Dolton House, will see guests join the former British prime minister for a “long lunch”.
“Hear live from Boris Johnson talking about all the big decisions in his time as leader – the challenges faced by Covid-19; tumult; crime; The London Olympics – and much more,” the event page said.
“There will be an interactive Q&A, giving you the chance to ask your important questions, and gain further insight into his experiences and perspectives.”
Tickets for the cheapest event were priced at $295 each.
Johnson’s book, Unleashed, released in October, chronicles his time in politics and his role in Brexit.
A former prime minister, Johnson was mayor of London from 2008 to 2016 and foreign secretary from 2016 to 2018 under Theresa May’s Conservative government. He became prime minister in 2019.
Hey His resignation was announced as prime minister in 2022, after pressure from within the Conservative Party and the departure of several ministers.
Johnson They resigned from the parliamentary elections last year after an investigation into the Partygate scandal in the UK found that he deliberately misled Parliament.
Johnson rejected the findings, arguing that the parties were aligned with public health guidelines at the time. He called the investigation a “witch hunt.”