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Boris Johnson faces MPs over Farage, Trump and climate change Boris Johnson faces MPs over Farage, Trump and climate change
(35 minutes later)
Boris Johnson, David Davis and Downing Street have combined to rebuff Donald Trump’s unexpected call for the UK government to appoint Nigel Farage as Britain’s ambassador to Washington. Boris Johnson, David Davis and Downing Street have combined to rebuff Donald Trump’s unexpected call for Nigel Farage to become Britain’s ambassador to Washington.
Keenly aware of Trump’s closeness to Farage, the UK government largely refrained from criticising the Ukip leader personally, instead focusing on the merits of the current ambassador, Sir Kim Darroch, and the absence of a vacancy for the post.Keenly aware of Trump’s closeness to Farage, the UK government largely refrained from criticising the Ukip leader personally, instead focusing on the merits of the current ambassador, Sir Kim Darroch, and the absence of a vacancy for the post.
Any censure of Farage would be seen as implicit criticism of Trump’s judgment, meaning the UK had to assert its sovereign right to appoint its diplomats without attacking Trump for expressing a preference. The fact that any censure of Farage would be seen as implicit criticism of Trump’s judgment, meant the UK had to assert its sovereign right to appoint its diplomats without attacking the US president-election for expressing a preference.
Speaking in the Commons, the foreign secretary made no criticism of Farage, or Trump for promoting his friend for the ambassadorship. He also said hostility to Trump was premature and not in the British national interest, adding that his administration should be judged once in office. The UK relationship with the US was the single most important geo-political fact of the last century, Johnson said, adding it was vital to be as positive as possible about the president-elect.Speaking in the Commons, the foreign secretary made no criticism of Farage, or Trump for promoting his friend for the ambassadorship. He also said hostility to Trump was premature and not in the British national interest, adding that his administration should be judged once in office. The UK relationship with the US was the single most important geo-political fact of the last century, Johnson said, adding it was vital to be as positive as possible about the president-elect.
The foreign secretary told MPs any rushed verdicts about Trump “could be damaging to the interests of this country. It is important for us in this country to use our influence, which is very considerable, to help the United States to see its responsibilities, as I’m sure they will.”The foreign secretary told MPs any rushed verdicts about Trump “could be damaging to the interests of this country. It is important for us in this country to use our influence, which is very considerable, to help the United States to see its responsibilities, as I’m sure they will.”
But Trump’s intervention will alarm the UK government, raising fears that he is intent on breaking up the EU, and will operate in the unpredictable manner he displayed on the campaign trail. Ministers were also unclear whether Trump’s tweet about Farage was generated by the Ukip leader, or whether it was the president-elect’s own idea.But Trump’s intervention will alarm the UK government, raising fears that he is intent on breaking up the EU, and will operate in the unpredictable manner he displayed on the campaign trail. Ministers were also unclear whether Trump’s tweet about Farage was generated by the Ukip leader, or whether it was the president-elect’s own idea.
Johnson’s comments came after Trump’s suggestion was rejected by No 10. Davis, the Brexit secretary, then reiterated Downing Street’s line, telling the BBC: “People can say what they like but the simple truth is there’s no vacancy. The ambassador there is very, very good, as we’ve seen.”Johnson’s comments came after Trump’s suggestion was rejected by No 10. Davis, the Brexit secretary, then reiterated Downing Street’s line, telling the BBC: “People can say what they like but the simple truth is there’s no vacancy. The ambassador there is very, very good, as we’ve seen.”
Farage said No 10 had failed to change in response to Trump’s election, adding that he would do a great job as ambassador.Farage said No 10 had failed to change in response to Trump’s election, adding that he would do a great job as ambassador.
The Ukip leader accused his critics of being in the “cesspit that is career politics”.The Ukip leader accused his critics of being in the “cesspit that is career politics”.
“Like a bolt from the blue Trump tweeted out that I would do a great job as the UK’s ambassador to Washington,” Farage wrote in an article for Breitbart newspaper. “At every stage I am greeted by negative comments coming out of Downing Street. “Like a bolt from the blue Trump tweeted out that I would do a great job as the UK’s ambassador to Washington,” Farage wrote in an article for Breitbart. “At every stage I am greeted by negative comments coming out of Downing Street.
“The dislike of me, Ukip, and the referendum result is more important to them than what could be good for our country. I have known several of the Trump team for years and I am in a good position with the president-elect’s support to help. “The dislike of me, Ukip, and the referendum result is more important to them than what could be good for our country. I have known several of the Trump team for years and I am in a good position with the president-elect’s support to help. The world has changed and its time that Downing Street did too.”
“The world has changed and its time that Downing Street did too.” But MPs and former diplomats lined up to kill off the idea of Farage acting as an official gobetween between the UK and the US. Andrew Cahn, a former UK trade envoy, said it was vital that ambassadors were professionals loyal to the government “with no other cards to play, however well connected they are”.
But MPs and former diplomats lined up to kill the idea of Farage acting as an official go-between between the UK and the US. Andrew Cahn, a former UK trade envoy, said it was vital that ambassadors were professionals loyal to the government “with no other cards to play, however well connected they are”.
At Foreign Office questions, the former health minister Dan Poulter referred to Farage when he told Johnson there “should be no place for anyone who expresses inflammatory and what sometimes could be considered to be bordering on racist views in representing this country in discussions with the United States”.At Foreign Office questions, the former health minister Dan Poulter referred to Farage when he told Johnson there “should be no place for anyone who expresses inflammatory and what sometimes could be considered to be bordering on racist views in representing this country in discussions with the United States”.
Keith Simpson, the Tory MP for Broadland, praised Johnson while saying he was relieved the foreign secretary had ruled out Farage as ambassador. Simpson said: “In this post-truth world, we might have assumed that he might have been sympathetic given they had campaigned together so remarkably on Brexit.” Keith Simpson, the Tory MP for Broadland, praised Johnson, saying he was relieved the foreign secretary had ruled out Farage as ambassador. Simpson said: “In this post-truth world, we might have assumed that he might have been sympathetic given they had campaigned together so remarkably on Brexit.”
Johnson found himself in difficulties when pressed by the shadow foreign secretary, Emily Thornberry, to say whether he agreed with Trump that climate change was a hoax invented by the Chinese. Thornberry also urged Theresa May to show some moral backbone and tell Trump that he must not undermine the climate change deal agreed in Paris.Johnson found himself in difficulties when pressed by the shadow foreign secretary, Emily Thornberry, to say whether he agreed with Trump that climate change was a hoax invented by the Chinese. Thornberry also urged Theresa May to show some moral backbone and tell Trump that he must not undermine the climate change deal agreed in Paris.
The foreign secretary said Trump was a dealmaker, and that the government would take a message to the White House about the importance of the Paris agreement.The foreign secretary said Trump was a dealmaker, and that the government would take a message to the White House about the importance of the Paris agreement.
But Alex Salmond, the former Scottish first minister, accused Johnson of political pirouetting in his attempts to spin away from his previous criticisms of Trump. But Alex Salmond, the former Scottish first minister, accused Johnson of doing a “political pirouette” in his attempts to spin away from his previous criticisms of Trump.
Johnson argued the UK message to the Trump team would focus on key areas – the vital importance of Nato, free trade and free enterprise and speaking up for shared values.Johnson argued the UK message to the Trump team would focus on key areas – the vital importance of Nato, free trade and free enterprise and speaking up for shared values.
Meanwhile, there was no immediate sign that the Foreign Office would abandon its support for the Syrian opposition despite Trump’s warm approach to Russia’s Vladimir Putin – who backs Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad. The UK wants Assad to stand down as part of a political transition.Meanwhile, there was no immediate sign that the Foreign Office would abandon its support for the Syrian opposition despite Trump’s warm approach to Russia’s Vladimir Putin – who backs Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad. The UK wants Assad to stand down as part of a political transition.
Johnson insisted Russian leaders would face the consequences of continued bombing of east Aleppo. He said: “We need to reach out to the Russians and show that it is up to them now to show the leadership the world expects, to deliver a ceasefire in Aleppo and let the humanitarian aid get through, and prevent a catastrophe for the city in the winter months.”Johnson insisted Russian leaders would face the consequences of continued bombing of east Aleppo. He said: “We need to reach out to the Russians and show that it is up to them now to show the leadership the world expects, to deliver a ceasefire in Aleppo and let the humanitarian aid get through, and prevent a catastrophe for the city in the winter months.”