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Boris Johnson refuses to apologise for previous offensive comments at 1st press conference – politics live Boris Johnson refuses to apologise for previous offensive comments at 1st press conference – politics live
(35 minutes later)
5.22pm BST
17:22
Angela Eagle 'pulls out of Labour leadership contest'
Angela Eagle is pulling out of the Labour leadership contest, Robert Peston reports.
.@angelaeagle pulls out of Labour leadership race
5.17pm BST
17:17
This is from ITV’s Robert Peston.
I am with @angelaeagle in central lobby as she prepares to make statement on Labour leadership race
5.16pm BST
17:16
This is from my colleague Anusthka Asthana.
Angela Eagle to make statement - so looks like she will pull out. I understand she attracted nominations of 63 MPs, and 7 MEPs, Smith 90.
5.13pm BST
17:13
This is from the BBC’s Iain Watson.
looks like Angela Eagle about to announce she is conceding
5.13pm BST
17:13
Angela Eagle 'set to make leadership contest statement'
Angela Eagle is set to make a statement, Huffington Post’s Paul Waugh reports.
Angela Eagle set to make statement any minute...
There are suspicions that she will announce she is pulling out from the Labour leadership, allowing Owen Smith to take on Jeremy Corbyn, because Smith has more support amongst MPs. (See 5.04pm.)
5.04pm BST
17:04
The Labour party has not yet published the figures for how many MPs are nominating Angela Eagle and Owen Smith, but my colleague Anushka Asthana has a steer.
Still waiting but if right Smith gets 90 nominations, of which 88 MPs, Eagle gets 72, of which 9 are MEPs... So pressure on Eagle.
4.55pm BST
16:55
Here are two tweets on Boris Johnson’s performance.
From Bloomberg’s Robert Hutton
All the US questions to Boris Johnson are basically: You're a liar, how can we trust you?His answer: It was all a long time ago.
Except it wasn’t a long time ago, Adam Bienkov from politics.co.uk points out.
Boris Johnson under fire for past comments, repeatedly claims they “go back 30 years”. Comments about Obama go back less than 3 months.
4.51pm BST
16:51
Here are some pictures for the expression on John Kerry’s face when Boris Johnson was asked by an American journalist why Kerry should believe him given his record of telling lies. (See 4.34pm.)
John Kerry reacted to a journalist accusing Boris Johnson of telling "outright lies" 4 different ways in 1 second. pic.twitter.com/u8FMNcfVYd
4.38pm BST4.38pm BST
16:3816:38
Turning back to the Labour leadership contest, my colleague Anushka Asthana has an update.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...Hearing that Owen Smith is 25 MPs ahead. But Eagle is 7 MEPs ahead... Total difference 18...
4.34pm BST4.34pm BST
16:3416:34
Q: [To Johnson] You have a history of misrepresentations and lies. Why should Kerry believe what you say?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.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?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.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.He says in Europe people’s incomes and chances have been significantly improved by globalisation.
Johnson says he passionately agrees with this.Johnson says he passionately agrees with this.
People on low wages have not felt the benefits of globalisation.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 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.The press conference is over.
I will post a summary soon.I will post a summary soon.
4.26pm BST4.26pm BST
16:2616:26
Q: Is the UK still going to be at the back of the queue for a trade deal?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.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.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.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.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.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.And, as for the heat (mentioned by the questioner), we have some spare water cannon, he says.
4.23pm BST4.23pm BST
16:2316:23
Johnson jokes that apologising for all his past comments deemed offensive would take too longJohnson 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?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.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.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.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?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.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.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.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 BST
16:09
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.
4.05pm BST
16:05
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.
4.04pm BST
16:04
Kerry 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.
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.
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.
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 BST
16:01
John Kerry is speaking now.
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 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 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.
The US depends on a strong UK. We mean united, he says. And it depends on an engaged UK too, he says.
3.56pm BST
15:56
Johnson says he wants to see 'more Britain abroad'.
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 the government has to implement Brexit.
But that does not mean leaving Europe, he says.
3.55pm BST
15:55
The press conference is starting.
Boris Johnson welcomes John Kerry to London.
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 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.
3.40pm BST
15:40
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.
3.38pm BST
15:38
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/STPTJ5hUUO
3.32pm BST
15:32
Boris 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.
There is a live feed at the top of this blog.