Boris Johnson says he will return to being the 'old generous-hearted, loving' politician after Brexit delivered

'I am a one-nation Tory. But we are in a position where the only way we can take this country forward and unite our country again is to get Brexit done'

(Rex)

Boris Johnson has said the "old generous-hearted, loving mayor of London" has not disappeared but he is focusing his attentions on delivering Brexit.

Mr Johnson made the claim in response to criticism over his aggressive language and bullish tactics since entering Downing Street, including the unlawful prorogation of parliament and the sacking of 21 moderate Tory MPs.

As questions over his personal conduct dominated the Conservative party conference, the prime minister said he did not believe he was a "divisive" figure.

In a series of interviews, Mr Johnson insisted he was still the same politician he had been during eight years in charge of City Hall.

"I say to all those who wish to see a return of the old generous-hearted, loving mayor of London and all the rest of it - that person has not gone away," he told the Today programme.

"I am a one-nation Tory. But we are in a position where the only way we can take this country forward and unite our country again is to get Brexit done. That's what we need to do."

He faced questions over the dramatic opposition from his family to his administration, including his brother Jo, who resigned as a minister and announced he would stand down.

His sister Rachel has also been critical, accusing him of pushing a strategy to persuade the electorate that their democracy was being "stolen" from them.

Asked about the criticisms, he said: "I disagree with some people in my family about the direction we are going in."

Mr Johnson accepted he needed to be careful in the language he used, after he dismayed MPs by dismissing reports of threats against politicians as "humbug". He has since the words were a "misunderstanding".

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He told LBC: "I'm the prime minister, so I've got to recognise that people do take offence and we've got to be very, very careful in our use of language and I accept that totally."