I won't stop speaking my mind! Boris Johnson is unapologetic as he visits Saudi Arabia after accusing the state of conducting 'proxy wars'

  • Foreign Secretary spoke to journalists during visit to Saudi Arabia today
  • Insisted 'candour' was an important part of relations between the nations
  • Comes after Theresa May slapped him down for criticising Kingdom's 'proxy wars' in the Middle East 

By James Tapsfield, Political Editor For Mailonline

Published: 09:10 EST, 11 December 2016 | Updated: 11:43 EST, 11 December 2016

Defiant Boris Johnson made clear he will keep speaking his mind today as he held talks in Saudi Arabia after a major row over his criticism of the key UK ally.

The Foreign Secretary emphasised his commitment to being 'candid' despite suffering his latest brutal slapdown from Theresa May.

Last week the Prime Minister flatly disowned remarks by her Cabinet minister in which he accused the Kingdom of 'puppeteering' and fighting 'proxy wars' in the Middle East.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson met Saudi Arabia's King Salman today after accusing the country of stoking proxy wars across the Middle East

The spat led to a showdown meeting between the pair in which Mrs May - who herself visited the Gulf last week - voiced her irritation but stressed she had confidence in his ability to continue in the job. 

Allies of Mr Johnson have insisted he has no need to say sorry to the Saudis as he has said the same thing to them face-to-face in the past.

There have also been complaints that Downing Street aides are trying to undermine him because they feel threatened'.

At a joint news conference with the Saudi foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir today, Mr Johnson hailed the strength of the ties between the states.

'I'm here to emphasise the friendship that exists between the UK and Saudi Arabia, and that is something that is developing and expanding,' he said.

In an apparent reference to the controversy over his comments, Mr Johnson added: 'It's also fair to say that we believe in candour in our relationship. 

'Now is the time for us to talk about the positive things that we are doing together.' 

Mr Johnson's remarks about Saudi have divided opinion among Tories.

Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson insisted he had been 'absolutely right' but former foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind warned that the 'jury's out' over his future in the role.

Riyadh is supporting the internationally-recognised government of Yemen against Iran-backed Houthi rebels but thousands have been killed in bombardments. 

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon attempted to play down the spat as he appeared on the BBC's Andrew Marr show today

Mr Johnson, who is in Saudi Arabia for a long-arranged visit, gave a speech to Gulf leaders on Friday emphasising the strong links between Britain and the region. 

Tory former Cabinet minister Ken Clarke said Mr Johnson's personality was 'always going to emerge' but the criticism had been 'pretty silly'.

He told Murnaghan on Sky News: 'I thought what Boris said about Saudi Arabia and Iran I rather agree with and I hope the Government are consulting their lawyers closely about how much longer we can carry on without querying some of the things the Saudis are doing in the Middle East whilst we are supplying them with weapons.'

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon attempted to play down the spat today.

He told the BBC's Andrew Marr show: 'Saudi Arabia is a friend of this country and is fully entitled to defend itself and is also entitled to help bring about a settlement in Yemen that restores the legitimate government. That has the support of the United Nations.'

The Prime Minister (pictured at a conference in the Gulf last week) was said to have been infuriated by Mr Johnson's forthright criticism of Saudi Arabia

He added: 'We can't keep moralising in public about Saudi Arabia. If you want to bring about change in Saudi Arabia then you have got to work with Saudi Arabia and we are doing that.'

Asked if Mr Johnson would raise concerns about Riyadh running proxy wars during his meetings in the kingdom, Sir Michael replied: 'He will be reminding Saudi Arabia that we support Saudi Arabia.'

Sir Michael said Mr Johnson was a 'huge personality' around the world.

'The media, with great respect, are now starting to over-textualise every remark he makes in answer to every question,' he said.

'Downing Street was asked whether this misreporting of what Boris had said, whether that was government policy. Downing Street simply answered the question.' 

 

 

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