Boris Johnson accused of repeating ‘lies’ about Brexit and NHS in new year message

Address issued as prime minister enjoys luxury Caribbean break with his girlfriend, staying in a reputed £40,000-a-week villa

Boris Johnson has been accused of retelling his election "lies" about Brexit and the NHS in a new year message pledging to end the "rancour and uncertainty" of 2019.

The prime minister came under fire for insisting he was poised to begin cooking his "oven ready" deal for leaving the EU - a day after Brussels predicted he would be forced into yet another U-turn.

Mr Johnson also reheated previously demolished claims that the NHS is about to enjoy "a record funding settlement", with 40 new hospitals and 50,000 more nurses.

The message was issued as the prime minister enjoyed a luxury break on the Caribbean paradise of Mustique, staying in a reputed £40,000-a-week villa with his girlfriend Carrie Symonds.

"Boris Johnson's new year's resolution should have been to stop telling porkie pies, but his new year's message sadly just repeats the many lies he peddled in the election," said Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrats' interim leader.