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Boris Johnson's press conference with John Kerry – politics live Boris Johnson refuses to apologise for previous offensive comments at 1st press conference – politics live
(35 minutes later)
4.38pm BST
16:38
Turning back to the Labour leadership contest, my colleague Anushka Asthana has an update.
Hearing that Owen Smith is 25 MPs ahead. But Eagle is 7 MEPs ahead... Total difference 18...
4.34pm BST
16:34
Q: [To Johnson] You have a history of misrepresentations and lies. Why should Kerry believe what you say?
Johnson says people are “more than welcome” to rake over what he has written over many years, but he wants to get on with the problems facing the world today. Most people paying their taxes would want that, he says.
Q: Is there any chance of prioritising the UK over countries already in the queue for a trade deal?
Kerry says that would be impossible. Until the UK leaves the EU, it is still part of the EU. He says he is working to make progress on TTIP. TTIP is even more important for Europe now than it was, he says. He says he wants to demythologise it. Regulations do not go downwards, he says. It won’t stop countries having strict standards, he says. He says there has not been enough pro-advocacy of its benefits. He accepts that people may have voted for Brexit because they felt they were not getting the benefits of globalisation. He says TTIP will help to ensure that people do benefit from globalisation.
He says in Europe people’s incomes and chances have been significantly improved by globalisation.
Johnson says he passionately agrees with this.
People on low wages have not felt the benefits of globalisation.
The answer to that is to invest in skills and to increase people’s productivity. We have to be more outward looking, more free-trading, he says.
The press conference is over.
I will post a summary soon.
4.26pm BST
16:26
Q: Is the UK still going to be at the back of the queue for a trade deal?
Kerry says that the US trade representative has said that the US will talk about a trade deal with the US.
Johnson says it is impossible to enter into a trade deal while the UK is still in the EU.
Q: Amber Rudd has refused to commit the government to getting net migration below 100,000.
Johnson says Rudd is right not to commit to numbers, because you do not want to disappoint people.
But when the UK leaves the EU, it will be able able to exert controls.
And, as for the heat (mentioned by the questioner), we have some spare water cannon, he says.
4.23pm BST
16:23
Johnson jokes that apologising for all his past comments deemed offensive would take too long
Q: [To Johnson] You said President Obama disliked the UK because he was part-Kenyan. And you have likened Hillary Clinton to a sadistic nurse, and to Lady Macbeth. Do you take these comments back?
Johnson says he would like to repeat what he said earlier. There is a rich thesaurus of things he has said that have been misconstrued that it would take too long to apologise for them.
And people who read them in their context will see that he was misunderstood.
He says the current problems are more important than any obiter dicta from the past.
Q: [To Kerry] Given what Johnson said during the EU referendum campaign, is he what the UK and the US needs?
Kerry says the subjects he is working on with Johnson have nothing to do with the EU referendum. He is confident that they will be able to work together.
On the referendum, he says the people have voted. We all respect democracy. He and President Obama wanted a different vote. But they respect the result.
He says he is “absolutely confident” that he can work with Johnson.
4.16pm BST
16:16
Johnson and Kerry's Q&A
Q: Six months ago you [Johnson] said the US should work with Assad. Now you say he should go. What has changed?
Johnson says he has always thought President Assad should go. The situation is hellish. But if there is a way through, it must involve the regime making peace, and a transition away from Assad. It won’t be easy, but it is the best way forward.
Q: Will you apologise to all the world leaders you have offended?
Johnson says they could spend time going over what he has written over the last 30 years. They have all been taken out of context. But there are important issues to discuss.
Q: [To Kerry] Is the UK still at the back of the queue for a trade deal with the US?
Kerry says there are complicated questions posed by Brexit. But May, Johnson and Philip Hammond had been making responsible statements. They have been talking about how the problems can be minimised.
The UK has to work to define its new trade relationship with the EU.
And the British say they cannot sign a new trade deal until they are no longer members of the EU, he says.
People need to talk, he says. Everyone has very high stakes. Citizens depend on the prosperity that has come from globalisation over recent years. But not enough has gone to enough people.
Q; Have you ever met a foreign minister like Johnson?
Kerry says he served in the senate, he was a prosecutor, he has been secretary of state. He has met everyone like Johnson. And he does not even know what the questioner means. And the American ambassador was at Oxford with him. He told Kerry Johnson was very smart.
Johnson thanks Kerry.
It’s called diplomacy, says Kerry.
4.09pm BST4.09pm BST
16:0916:09
Kerry says he wants to close by talking about being so close to the place from where Churchill led the country during the war. Churchill spoke to the US congress about what can be achieved when the US and the UK work together heart and hand. Today’s problems are more complicated, he says.Kerry says he wants to close by talking about being so close to the place from where Churchill led the country during the war. Churchill spoke to the US congress about what can be achieved when the US and the UK work together heart and hand. Today’s problems are more complicated, he says.
4.05pm BST4.05pm BST
16:0516:05
This is from BuzzFeed’s Emily Ashton.This is from BuzzFeed’s Emily Ashton.
Last time I was in this room, Obama said UK would be "back of the queue" for trade. Now Kerry says US is "rooting for" post-Brexit Britain.Last time I was in this room, Obama said UK would be "back of the queue" for trade. Now Kerry says US is "rooting for" post-Brexit Britain.
4.04pm BST4.04pm BST
16:0416:04
Kerry says May has assured him UK still intends to play a leading role in global affairsKerry says May has assured him UK still intends to play a leading role in global affairs
Kerry says the US also depends on a close relationship with the EU.Kerry says the US also depends on a close relationship with the EU.
He says Amercia wants the smoothest possible transition to Brexit. And it wants a collaborative EU/UK relationship.He says Amercia wants the smoothest possible transition to Brexit. And it wants a collaborative EU/UK relationship.
He says he was encouraged by what he heard from May and Johnson. The UK still intends to lead internationally, he says.He says he was encouraged by what he heard from May and Johnson. The UK still intends to lead internationally, he says.
Kerry says there has not been a time when the world has faced so many global challenges.Kerry says there has not been a time when the world has faced so many global challenges.
The US is engaged in more places simultaneously than at any time in its history.The US is engaged in more places simultaneously than at any time in its history.
He says he and Johnson spoke about Syria, about Ukraine, about the Middle East, about Turkey, about the climate change agreement, and about Iran.He says he and Johnson spoke about Syria, about Ukraine, about the Middle East, about Turkey, about the climate change agreement, and about Iran.
4.01pm BST4.01pm BST
16:0116:01
John Kerry is speaking now.John Kerry is speaking now.
He says he has had frank and good discussions with Theresa May and Johnson.He says he has had frank and good discussions with Theresa May and Johnson.
He saw Johnson yesterday. And he will see him later in the week in Washington, he says.He saw Johnson yesterday. And he will see him later in the week in Washington, he says.
He thanks May for her pronounced commitment to the special relationship.He thanks May for her pronounced commitment to the special relationship.
He says she is “clearly ready to hit the ground running” as PM.He says she is “clearly ready to hit the ground running” as PM.
He says May is committed to the “precious bonds” that bind the UK together. That is reassuring, he says.He says May is committed to the “precious bonds” that bind the UK together. That is reassuring, he says.
He says he wants to reaffirm the special and unbreakable ties uniting the US and the UK. “These are more than words,” he says. It is a relationship built up by years of common endeavour and common sacrifice. No shift of administration will break that, he says. The relationship is founded on families ties, and history, and a shared belief in markets and rights, he says.He says he wants to reaffirm the special and unbreakable ties uniting the US and the UK. “These are more than words,” he says. It is a relationship built up by years of common endeavour and common sacrifice. No shift of administration will break that, he says. The relationship is founded on families ties, and history, and a shared belief in markets and rights, he says.
The US depends on a strong UK. We mean united, he says. And it depends on an engaged UK too, he says.The US depends on a strong UK. We mean united, he says. And it depends on an engaged UK too, he says.
3.56pm BST3.56pm BST
15:5615:56
Johnson says he wants to see 'more Britain abroad'.Johnson says he wants to see 'more Britain abroad'.
Johnson ends with some general comments about his new job.Johnson ends with some general comments about his new job.
He says he wants to reshape Britain’s profile, to make it even greater.He says he wants to reshape Britain’s profile, to make it even greater.
He says the government has to implement Brexit.He says the government has to implement Brexit.
But that does not mean leaving Europe, he says.But that does not mean leaving Europe, he says.
3.55pm BST3.55pm BST
15:5515:55
The press conference is starting.The press conference is starting.
Boris Johnson welcomes John Kerry to London.Boris Johnson welcomes John Kerry to London.
He says they have had a very productive bilateral.He says they have had a very productive bilateral.
He says the special relationship between the US and the UK remains strong and vital.He says the special relationship between the US and the UK remains strong and vital.
He and Kerry will soon be joined by European colleagues for a meeting on Syria. Syria continues to be ravaged by Daesh. The Syrian support group is investigating a pathway to peace. It set out a framework for peace. But the current situation in Syria is still dire. In Aleppo there are 300,000 people besieged. The country is facing a humanitarian catastrophe, and a leap in the number of refugees leaving.He and Kerry will soon be joined by European colleagues for a meeting on Syria. Syria continues to be ravaged by Daesh. The Syrian support group is investigating a pathway to peace. It set out a framework for peace. But the current situation in Syria is still dire. In Aleppo there are 300,000 people besieged. The country is facing a humanitarian catastrophe, and a leap in the number of refugees leaving.
He says later this evening he and Kerry will join foreign ministers from Saudia Arabia and UAE to discuss Yemen. He encourages people to seek peace in good faith.He says later this evening he and Kerry will join foreign ministers from Saudia Arabia and UAE to discuss Yemen. He encourages people to seek peace in good faith.
3.40pm BST3.40pm BST
15:4015:40
And this is from John Kerry’s spokesman, John Kirby.And this is from John Kerry’s spokesman, John Kirby.
In first mtg w/ @theresa_may, @JohnKerry had substantive discussion about US-UK #specialrelationship & importance of our strong partnership.In first mtg w/ @theresa_may, @JohnKerry had substantive discussion about US-UK #specialrelationship & importance of our strong partnership.
3.38pm BST3.38pm BST
15:3815:38
Here is the American ambassador, Matthew Barzun, tweeting about Theresa May’s meeting with John Kerry.Here is the American ambassador, Matthew Barzun, tweeting about Theresa May’s meeting with John Kerry.
A friendly & substantive first meeting between U.S. Secretary @JohnKerry & new UK PM @theresa_may today @Number10gov pic.twitter.com/STPTJ5hUUOA friendly & substantive first meeting between U.S. Secretary @JohnKerry & new UK PM @theresa_may today @Number10gov pic.twitter.com/STPTJ5hUUO
3.32pm BST3.32pm BST
15:3215:32
Boris Johnson's press conference with John KerryBoris Johnson's press conference with John Kerry
Boris Johnson, the new foreign secretary, is about to hold a press conference at the Foreign Office with John Kerry, the US secretary of state. It is Johnson’s first press conference since joining the cabinet.Boris Johnson, the new foreign secretary, is about to hold a press conference at the Foreign Office with John Kerry, the US secretary of state. It is Johnson’s first press conference since joining the cabinet.
There is a live feed at the top of this blog.There is a live feed at the top of this blog.
3.17pm BST
15:17
Truss to continue with Gove's prison reform programme 'at pace'
Alan Travis
The new justice secretary, Liz Truss, is to press ahead with her predecessor Michael Gove’s radical prison reform programme “at pace” despite a fresh warning from the chief inspector of prisons that a continuing upsurge in jail violence is putting it at risk.
Truss, responding to the warning from the chief inspector, Peter Clarke, said it demonstrated why prison reform is so important to create safe jails. She said:
I want to see radical reform and I am under no illusions about the scale of the challenge we face or how long reform takes ... I will set out the next steps for this agenda in coming weeks but I am clear that the vital work of prison reform will continue at pace.
Her statement will dispel fears amongst penal reformers that Truss was ready to ditch Gove’s radical prison reforms as she had co-authored a 2011 book calling for prisons to be made be ‘tough, unpleasant and uncomfortable’ places of punishment.
3.14pm BST
15:14
Jessica Elgot
Two Labour MPs, Jim McMahon and Judith Cummins, have notched up what is thought to be a PLP first. They are both flying to the US on a trip, but they have managed to submit nominations for the leadership contest from the plane using the onboard wifi. They are both backing Owen Smith.
3.11pm BST
15:11
Here is my colleague Anushka Asthana with the latest from the Labour leadership contest.
Owen Smith and Angela Eagle trying to come to agreement before 5pm so names of MPs linked to each candidate not published
Eagle's team denying that, saying the agreement is linked to 5pm tomorrow, Wednesday, when nominations close
Interesting suggestion now from source that momentum also swung to Eagle and claim that it remains very close. No way she pulling out pre 5
Source also claiming Eagle got majority of MEPs...
2.50pm BST
14:50
May to chair three new cabinet committees
Downing Street has announced that Theresa May is going to chair three new cabinet committees, covering leaving the EU, social reform and the economy and industrial strategy.
Briefing journalists, the prime minister’s spokeswoman said May’s decision to chair these committees herself was not driven by a desire to stop cabinet ministers squabbling. The spokeswoman said:
The idea that it is in some way to manage relations between cabinet ministers, that is not what it was about, and actually at cabinet this morning you saw the prime minister really encouraging a collective government approach, a lengthy discussion on the economy, with different ministers contributing their views on the issues ahead. It went over 90 minutes, I think, because that reflected her wanting to take contributions from around the table.
2.32pm BST
14:32
Meg Russell, director of the Constitution Unit, has written a useful blog looking at what would happen in parliament if the Labour party were to split. Here’s an extract:
Although there would doubtless be some confusion, and perhaps bitter arguments about money, the parliamentary arrangements after a party split would hence probably be quite straightforward. In short, if a majority group broke away from Labour it would quickly obtain most of the privileges of the current opposition. Although it might be subject to argument, this would probably apply even if those breaking away simply called themselves ‘Independent Labour’ rather than legally splitting from the existing Labour party and resigning their membership. This could, of course, ultimately result in their expulsion from the Labour party – though this would be likely to depend on whether the Corbyn faction retained a majority on the party’s national executive committee.
This situation becomes more complex if a general election is held. The new grouping could not run as a political party without registering as such with the electoral commission, and thus becoming more explicitly and legally separate from the Labour party. But candidates could run as independents, and the situation would presumably by then be relatively well-known to the electorate. Many candidates would also be well-known to their local voters.
2.25pm BST
14:25
Here are two tweets about how Angela Eagle and Owen Smith are doing in terms of securing nominations for the Labour leadership from MPs.
From STV’s Harry Smith
Lab sources saying Owen Smith has about 70 nominations, Angela Eagle about 50. So 50 ish still to decide assuming 40 Corbyn backers
From the BBC’s Chris Gibson
Angela Eagle has just pulled ahead of Owen Smith in number of KNOWN declarations according to the brill @jackcevans 31 - Eagle30 - Smith
1.30pm BST
13:30
Lunchtime summary
Since this is our first outing together, let me take the opportunity of making clear to you that I do not believe in the money tree. I am clear that we have to pay our way in the world. We have a very large fiscal deficit that we have to address but while doing it we also have to ensure that we maximise the productive capability of the UK economy.
1.14pm BST
13:14
Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, has started putting up a refugee family in a cottage in the grounds of Lambeth Palace under a new government scheme formally launched today.
As the Press Association reports, the scheme will see churches, charities, faith groups and businesses provide housing and support for those brought to Britain from Syria and other countries in the Middle East and North Africa under resettlement programmes. Organisations will provide housing for refugees and help them integrate into life in the UK, gain access to medical and social services and arrange English language lessons.
Launching the Full Community Sponsorship scheme (pdf) at Lambeth Palace, Amber Rudd, the home secretary, she had the met the family - which includes children aged four to 10. The youngsters told her they all wanted to be doctors when they grow up. Rudd said:
The response of the British public to the refugee crisis has been one of overwhelming generosity and many have been moved to make kind offers of assistance. This is a ground-breaking new development for resettlement in the UK and I wholeheartedly encourage organisations that can help to offer their support.
I hope that this new approach will help bring communities together and support these often traumatised and vulnerable families as they rebuild their lives, and contribute to and thrive in our country.
Welby said:
Refugees, like all people, are treasured human beings, made in the image of God, who deserve safety, freedom and the opportunity to flourish. It is an enormous privilege to welcome a family to live in a cottage in the grounds of Lambeth Palace.
The scheme is based on a successful Canadian model which reportedly has more communities offering to sponsor refugees than actual refugees. Individuals and groups take responsibility for families for a year, finding them a home and education.
The Home Office said sponsoring organisations wishing to apply must have status as either a registered charity or “community interest company”, the consent of the local authority in which they wish to operate and a “comprehensive plan” for resettlement. All resettled refugees will have been through a thorough security vetting process.
1.03pm BST
13:03
Here is John Kerry, the US secretary of state, meeting Theresa May in Number 10 (once he managed to get through the door - see 12.35pm.)
12.35pm BST
12:35
John Kerry, the US secretary of state, has got a press conference with Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, this afternoon. But he went into Downing Street first.
Unfortunately for US-UK relations, he appeared to get the door shut in his face.
Updated
at 1.39pm BST