Boris Johnson: I’ll speak with candour to Saudi Arabia
BORIS Johnson last night promised to continue speaking with “candour” to Saudi Arabia’s rulers despite recent comments about the regime.
Boris Johnson had a 'warm and genial' meeting with senior diplomats
The Foreign Secretary had a “warm and genial” meeting with senior diplomats just days after accusing the Saudis of fostering “proxy wars” in the Middle East.
Downing Street said the remark did not reflect the Government view, but denied that the outspoken Cabinet minister had been rebuked by Theresa May for it.
Mr Johnson met his Saudi counterpart Adel al-Jubeir in Riyadh yesterday and said: “I’m here to emphasis the friendship that exists between the UK and Saudi Arabia and, of course, that is something that is developing and expanding.
“And, it’s also fair to say that we believe in a candour in our relationship.
”He said it was now “time for us to talk about the positive things we are doing together”.
Mr Johnson admitted having “deep concern” about the suffering of civilians in conflicttorn Yemen while backing the Saudi-led military intervention there.
Mr Johnson met his Saudi counterpart Adel al-Jubeir in Riyadh yesterday
Mr al-Jubeir brushed aside suggestions of a rift, saying: “There are no mixed messages that we are getting from Britain. Britain is an ally of Saudi Arabia.
“We don’t have any doubt in where Britain stands and Britain has no doubt where we stand.”
Some of Mr Johnson’s foes in Tory ranks had pressed for him to be moved out of the Foreign Office following the row.
Downing Street denied that the outspoken Cabinet minister had been rebuked by Theresa May
But sources indicated that Mrs May fully backed her Foreign Secretary and had not reprimanded him.
Tory Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: “Boris’s comment was taken out of context in reports that implied we didn’t support Saudi Arabia."