Johnson compares Brexit to torment of Greek god Prometheus

Johnson compares Brexit to torment of Greek god Prometheus

Boris Johnson. (File Photo: IANS)

London, Sep 25 (IANS) UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson compared Brexit to the eternal torment of Greek god Prometheus having his liver pecked out by an eagle in a bizarre speech to the UN General Assembly, the media reported.

The Prime Minister, who has returned to London following the Supreme Court verdict that ruled his decision to suspend Parliament as unlawful, spoke on Tuesday of "terrifying limbless chickens" and "pink-eyed terminators" as he compared Remainers' treatment of those who voted to leave the European Union (EU) to Zeus as he eternally tormented Prometheus, The Daily Mail reported.

Johnson only mentioned Brexit once during his speech at the UNGA.

During his 20-minute address that drew laughs and baffled looks from delegates, Johnson warned of technology's capacity to control citizens. But he made no mention of the court ruling.

Tuesday's historic ruling had plunged his plans to exit the EU by October 31 into crisis and sparked calls by opposition MPs that he resign immediately.

In his speech, Johnson referenced one of his favourite subjects, Greek mythology, by telling the story of Zeus punishing Prometheus by ensuring that an eagle ate his liver over and over again.

"This went on forever. A bit like the experience of Brexit in the UK if some of our parliamentarians had their way," he said, drawing laughs from the remaining delegates in the largely deserted hall.

Johnson also painted the possibility of a future where devices in every household "monitor your nightmares, monitor your fridge", and where smart cities are "as antiseptic as a Zurich pharmacy".

"Alexa will pretend to take orders but this Alexa will be watching you, clapping her tongue and stamping her foot," Johnson said, adding that "there may be nowhere to hide".

"AI (Artificial Intelligence), what will it mean?" he asked. "Helpful robots washing and caring for an ageing population or pink-eyed terminators sent back from the future to cull the human race?"

He went on to wonder whether synthetic biology could restore tissues "like some fantastic hangover cure" or "bring terrifying limbless chickens to our tables", The Daily Mail reported.

He also poked fun at France during his speech, reminiscing about how when he was Mayor of London the city had more Michelin stars than Paris.

The Prime Minister invited Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to London, but still called for "progress" on the cases of Britons jailed in Tehran.

--IANS

ksk