Theresa May gives her public support to Boris Johnson after briefings claiming Foreign Secretary is viewed as a ‘clown’ around the world

THERESA May has given her public support to Boris Johnson after briefings claimed the Foreign Secretary is viewed as a “clown” around the world.

The Prime Minister was forced into backing her Cabinet minister after claims he is not taken seriously by diplomats and he “can never resist a gag”.

Speaking during a trip to Japan she said Mr Johnson was doing an excellent job dealing with critical issues around the world.

It came after Times columnist Rachel Sylvester wrote that diplomatic sources told her White House officials “don’t want to go anywhere near Boris because they think he’s a joke."

While an unnamed Tory MP told her: "An unnamed minister told the newspaper: "It's worse in Europe. There is not a single foreign minister there who takes him seriously. They think he's a clown who can never resist a gag."

“The French think Boris is totally unreliable, the Germans think he’s a liar and the Italians think he’s dangerous.

“He is undermining our ability to negotiate internationally and degrading our position abroad.

“The Foreign Secretary is supposed to enhance Britain’s reputation but all over the world Boris is making matters worse."

2

But asked if she had confidence in him, Mrs May told Sky News: "Yes, absolutely.

"Boris has been doing an excellent job and a lot of people focus on Brexit but remember there are a lot of issues that the Foreign Secretary is dealing with around the world, including, for example his recent trip to Libya which was a very important trip."

MOST READ IN POLITICS:

HOUSING SHAKE-UP

PM to seize control of building rules to get wannabe-homeowners on ladder

SIR KEIR STARMER

This Government is putting people first by backing Britain's builders

FARAGE DOOR

Kemi Badenoch opens the door to working more closely with Reform UK

PINT PLOT

Pints 'could be scrapped for smaller glasses if Labour law passes unchecked'

Mrs May, who arrived in Japan for an official visit this week, said Mr Johnson was "dealing with some really crucial issues, critical issues, that are facing the world and ensuring that the United Kingdom is play its part in trying to resolve those issues".

The column which has shone focus on Mr Johnson's performance also alleged that Foreign Office officials are said to be approaching his junior minister Alan Duncan for decisions instead of him.

2

But yesterday the PM’s official spokeswoman insisted the pair had "a good relationship" and that he is doing "a good job."

However Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson Tom Brake said: "Theresa May's claim she has 'full confidence' in Boris Johnson sounds suspiciously like a football chairman just before they sack the manager.

“Boris has gone from being the poster boy for Brexit to a national liability.”