Boris Johnson set for awkward showdown with French counterpart who branded him a ‘liar’ just two weeks ago
French Foreign Minister said Boris “told a lot of lies to the British people” during Brexit campaign
BORIS Johnson is set for an awkward showdown today with a French official who branded him a liar just two weeks ago for his Brexit campaign.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said Boris’ shock appointment to the Foreign Office was “a sign of the British political crisis” and the former mayor of London had “told a lot of lies to the British people” during the EU referendum campaign.
Mr Johnson tried to laugh off the comments, saying Mr Ayrault had been one of the first to congratulate him on his new post and had sent him a “charming letter”.
At the time the French Foreign Minister Mr Ayrault told Europe 1 Radio: "I am not at all worried about Boris Johnson, but... during the campaign he lied a lot to the British people and now it is he who has his back against the wall."
He added: “(He has) his back against the wall to defend his country but also with his back against the wall the relationship with Europe should be clear.
“I need a partner with whom I can negotiate and who is clear, credible and reliable.
“We cannot let this ambiguous, blurred situation drag on... in the interests of the British themselves.”
BoJo hit back saying there would be “a certain amount of plaster coming off the ceiling of the chancelleries of Europe”.
Today the two will meet on Paris for talks. Mr Johnson does not have direct responsibility for Brexit negotiations.
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The French foreign ministry said in a statement last night: “This first trip to France by the British Foreign Secretary will offer an opportunity to discuss the most important international issues of the day on which we work closely with the United Kingdom, as well as our bilateral relationship, particularly in the areas of defence, counter-terrorism and border control.”
On the first day of his appointment to the Foreign Office Boris was booed at the French ambassador’s official residence after he called for an “ever closer union”.