Criticism grows over Johnson's use of police for political speech

Prime minister accused of abusing impartiality of officers by using them as backdrop

Boris Johnson is facing mounting criticism for abusing the impartiality of police officers after he used them as a backdrop for a political speech.

The prime minister's speech at a police training college in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, was meant to highlight the government's commitment to returning 20,000 officers to the streets. But it will be remembered for his sometimes rambling remarks about Brexit and the prospects of an election, and the moment when an officer behind him had to sit down after feeling faint.