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| Boris Johnson is a liar with his back to the wall, says French FM | Boris Johnson is a liar with his back to the wall, says French FM |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| France's foreign minister has said his newly-appointed British counterpart, Boris Johnson, is a liar with "his back against the wall". | France's foreign minister has said his newly-appointed British counterpart, Boris Johnson, is a liar with "his back against the wall". |
| In comments to Europe 1 radio, Jean-Marc Ayrault said Mr Johnson had lied to the British people during the recent EU referendum campaign and would now be under pressure "to defend his country". | In comments to Europe 1 radio, Jean-Marc Ayrault said Mr Johnson had lied to the British people during the recent EU referendum campaign and would now be under pressure "to defend his country". |
| He said France needed a negotiating partner who was credible and reliable. | He said France needed a negotiating partner who was credible and reliable. |
| The former London mayor led the campaign to take Britain out of the EU. | The former London mayor led the campaign to take Britain out of the EU. |
| He was expected to stand for the Conservative party leadership in the wake of the referendum result, but did not put himself forward after key colleagues withdrew support. | He was expected to stand for the Conservative party leadership in the wake of the referendum result, but did not put himself forward after key colleagues withdrew support. |
| His appointment as foreign secretary has surprised many politicians and commentators around the world, who have recalled his history of undiplomatic or offensive comments. | His appointment as foreign secretary has surprised many politicians and commentators around the world, who have recalled his history of undiplomatic or offensive comments. |
| Boris Johnson appointment: The world reacts | Boris Johnson appointment: The world reacts |
| How Britain's new foreign secretary has insulted the world | How Britain's new foreign secretary has insulted the world |
| Mr Ayrault said: "I am not at all worried about Boris Johnson, but you know his style, his method during the campaign - he lied a lot to the British people. | |
| "[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. | "[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," he added. | "I need a partner with whom I can negotiate and who is clear, credible and reliable," he added. |
| "We cannot let this ambiguous, blurred situation drag on... in the interests of the British themselves." | "We cannot let this ambiguous, blurred situation drag on... in the interests of the British themselves." |
| France and other EU states have urged Britain to start the process of leaving the EU promptly, to minimise uncertainty. | France and other EU states have urged Britain to start the process of leaving the EU promptly, to minimise uncertainty. |
| New Prime Minister Theresa May has promised to implement Britain's exit from the bloc but has not said when she plans to trigger the formal exit procedure. | New Prime Minister Theresa May has promised to implement Britain's exit from the bloc but has not said when she plans to trigger the formal exit procedure. |
| She has already spoken to French President Francois Hollande. Mrs May's spokeswoman said she "explained that we would need some time to prepare for these negotiations". |