US-born Boris Johnson gives up his American citizenship – and now won’t have to pay ‘tough’ taxes abroad

US-BORN Boris Johnson has renounced his American citizenship - and now will not be subjected to pay extra taxes on his income abroad.

The Foreign Secretary was born in New York, but hasn't lived there since he was five years old.

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Mr Johnson's name appeared on a list released by the US Treasury showing 5,411 people who had renounced their American citizenship in 2016.

It is thought the move is an attempt to stop paying extra taxes on his income.

The Foreign Secretary had previously spoken out about the "tough" tax laws in America which means he has to pay more to US authorities.

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In 2014 he revealed that the US had taxed him extra for selling his home in Islington, North London - thought to more than £100,000.

He said was "absolutely outrageous", but all US citizens, including those with dual citizenship, are liable to pay taxes wherever they live.

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The then-Mayor of London said previously that it would be "hard" to give up his citizenship, but that he shouldn't have to pay the money as he hasn't lived in the country for years.

He said: "The great United States of America does have some pretty tough rules" and it had an "incredible doctrine of global taxation".

Mr Johnson added that "even though tax rates in the UK are far higher and I’m mayor of London, I pay all my tax in the UK and so I pay a much higher proportion of my income in tax than I would if I lived in America."

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He went on: “The United States comes after me, would you believe it ... for capital gains tax on the sale of your first residence which is not taxable in Britain, but they’re trying to hit me with some bill, can you believe it?”

During a trade mission to America in 2015, Mr Johnson described his dual nationality as "an accident of birth" that he planned to change, but said the process was "a laborious business".