Boris Johnson stands by ‘f*** business’ comments by suggesting they were aimed at lobbyists
Boris Johnson has failed to deny reports he said "f*** business", instead suggesting his comments were aimed at lobbyists.
The foreign secretary was accused of uttering the four-letter word to dismiss an EU diplomat's concerns about how firms would continue to trade after Brexit. According to The Telegraph he was speaking with Belgium’s ambassador to the EU, Rudolf Huygelen, in Lancaster House, London when he made the comments which have sparked a major row between the Conservative party and industry.
Labour MP and former frontbencher Owen Smith asked about Johnson's comments in the context of "legitimate concerns" raised by businesses including Airbus about the government's handling of Brexit.
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During Foreign Office Questions this afternoon Johnson told MPs: "I don't think anybody could deny the passionate support of this government for business."
Fresh from his whistle-stop trip to Afghanistan, which kept him out of the country over the Heathrow vote, Johnson added: "It may be that from time to time expressed scepticism about some of the views about those who profess to speak up for business."
But business groups have hit back at this explanation.
The Institute of Directors boss Stephen Martin said: “Businesses, and the organisations who represent them, have a right to spell out their views and concerns, particularly when it comes to the knotty issue of Brexit negotiations.
"Business leaders are not the enemy, they should be seen as critical friends, who have a vital perspective and a shared interest in the future prosperity of the UK.”
Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), told Morning Wire: “No holder of ministerial office, let alone one of the great offices of state, should be heard to disparage the contribution that business makes to our communities and our society – regardless of whether they disagree with what companies or their representatives have to say.”
Johnson was not the only Cabinet minister to get the government into hot water over its relationship with business, with health secretary Jeremy Hunt telling the Marr Show it was "inappropriate" for Airbus to have warned that it could pull out of the UK in the event of a no deal.
Yesterday business secretary Greg Clark attempted to smooth over the affair by insisting they should be "listened to with respect".
Today Prime Minister Theresa May continued the charm offensive, telling the Times CEO Summit: “It’s right that we listen to the voice of business."
She added that she valued the contribution they had made during negotiations – despite it being widely acknowledged that access had been restricted in the run-up to the elections.
"We have listened carefully to business throughout," she said.
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But the IoD's Martin was sceptical. "While the Prime Minister has today reiterated the importance of listening to companies, and business generally has a good level of engagement with ministers, it is disappointing that this approach doesn’t seem to be shared by every member of the government," he said.