Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson fires 'jocular' F-bomb at the US
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson fires ‘jocular’ F-bomb at the US over Rishi Sunak’s new Brexit deal on Northern Ireland
- Former PM allegedly said ‘f*** the Americans’ when over Northern Ireland deal
- Words were used in chat with former Tory Cabinet Minister Sir Robert Buckland
- It has been insisted it was used in ‘jocular’ way and has been ‘misunderstood’
Boris Johnson found himself in hot water last night after saying ‘f*** the Americans’ when told Rishi Sunak had to compromise on a new Northern Ireland deal to boost relations with the US.
The former Prime Minister swore last week while dismissing claims that Mr Sunak had to revise the post-Brexit Protocol arrangements to win favour with pro-Irish US President Joe Biden.
A source close to Mr Johnson admitted he used the words in an exchange with former Tory Cabinet Minister and Remain campaigner Sir Robert Buckland, but insisted it was ‘jocular’ and had been ‘misunderstood’. Sir Robert, who was Justice Secretary in Mr Johnson’s Cabinet, described it as a ‘cordial exchange’.
Labour said last night it was ‘no joke to the Americans, who are our closest allies’, and Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Kyle added: ‘It’s no joke to the people of Northern Ireland who are desperate to get a new deal done.’
Mr Johnson, who agreed the original Protocol deal for Northern Ireland, is leading the fight to stop Mr Sunak giving too much ground to Brussels to resolve the Province’s post-Brexit status.
Last week, Mr Johnson insisted the ‘best way forward’ was to allow the UK to halt EU checks on goods sent to Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.
The former Prime Minister swore last week while dismissing claims that Mr Sunak had to revise the post-Brexit Protocol arrangements to win favour with pro-Irish US President Joe Biden
Labour said last night it was ‘no joke to the Americans, who are our closest allies’, and Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Kyle (pictured) added: ‘It’s no joke to the people of Northern Ireland who are desperate to get a new deal done.’
Four years ago Mr Johnson refused to deny claims that he said ‘f*** business’ when warned of firms’ fears about the terms of the UK’s exit from the EU.
Last week as they chatted privately in the Commons, the ex-PM was told by Sir Robert that a new deal would foster good relations with Washington and boost hopes of a trade deal with the USA.
Mr Johnson, himself born in New York, made clear this not a matter for the USA by replying: ‘F**k the Americans!’
The blunt riposte came despite concerns that Mr Biden, who prides himself on his Irish roots, could cancel an expected State visit to the UK in April if no deal is reached on the Northern Ireland protocol.
But last night, a source close to Mr Johnson said: ‘This was a jocular conversation in the Chamber with Robert Buckland that someone has evidently misunderstood.’
Mr Johnson, who agreed the original Protocol deal for Northern Ireland, is leading the fight to stop Mr Sunak (pictured) giving too much ground to Brussels to resolve the Province’s post-Brexit status
Sir Robert, who was Justice Secretary in Mr Johnson’s Cabinet, also insisted it was a ‘cordial exchange’ and that both men wanted progress on Northern Ireland even if they differed on how to do so.
The former Justice Secretary said last week that Mr Johnson’s Protocol Bill had outlived its usefulness.
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