Boris Johnson ‘joked Joe Biden “is one of the few world leaders I haven’t insulted”‘ as Number 10 prepares for crunch first phone call with President-elect
- Boris Johnson said to have made remark when discussing election with aides
- No10 is busy war gaming the crucial first phone call between PM and Joe Biden
- Sources close to Democratic campaign questioned if Mr Johnson is an ‘ally’
Boris Johnson joked that Joe Biden is ‘one of the few world leaders I haven’t insulted’, it was claimed today, as Number 10 war games the crucial first phone call between the two men.
Mr Johnson is said to have made the remark to Downing Street aides on Friday when they were discussing the outcome of the US presidential election.
Number 10 is now busy preparing for the first conversation between Mr Johnson and the President-elect.
But there are concerns that Mr Johnson’s past-criticism of Barack Obama could make it difficult for there to be a close relationship with sources close to the Democratic campaign questioning whether the PM is an ‘ally’.
Boris Johnson yesterday congratulated Joe Biden on winning the US Presidential election
Mr Johnson yesterday congratulated Mr Biden after he was called as the winner in the crucial battleground states of Pennsylvania and Nevada, giving him an insurmountable lead over White House incumbent Donald Trump.
The Prime Minister tweeted: ‘Congratulations to Joe Biden on his election as President of the United States and to Kamala Harris on her historic achievement.
‘The US is our most important ally and I look forward to working closely together on our shared priorities, from climate change to trade and security.’
Mr Johnson is said to have joked to aides on Friday: ‘Joe Biden is one of the few world leaders I haven’t insulted.’
The PM will be hoping to strike a close relationship with the new President and Number 10 wants to use the first phone call between the two men to lay the groundwork.
It is thought Mr Johnson will emphasise the need for the two nations to work together to combat climate change ahead of the UK hosting a UN climate summit next year.
But he could be in for a frosty reception from Mr Biden, with a Democratic source telling the Sunday Times: ‘They do not think Boris Johnson is an ally.
‘They think Britain is an ally. But there will be no special relationship with Boris Johnson.’
Former vice president Mr Biden is said to still be angry at Mr Johnson over remarks he made in 2016 about Mr Obama.
Mr Johnson is hoping to strike a close relationship with Mr Biden but Democratic sources have questioned whether the PM is an ‘ally’
The then-Mayor of London had lashed out at Mr Obama for urging British voters to back staying in the EU and criticised the then-President for removing a bust of Sir Winston Churchill from the Oval Office.
He suggested Mr Obama got rid of the statue because it was a ‘symbol of the part-Kenyan President’s ancestral dislike of the British empire’.
The comments prompted a furious backlash at the time and Mr Biden is said to still harbour resentment.
The new Vice President, Kamala Harris, is also reportedly not a fan of Mr Johnson with a US politician who is likely to be given a role in the new administration recently telling friends: ‘If you think Joe hates him, you should hear Kamala.’