Boris Johnson suggests Theresa May prompted Donald Trump U-turn on child separation
2 min read
Donald Trump performed his embarrassing U-turn on separating immigrant families at the US-Mexico border after Theresa May told him off, Boris Johnson suggested today.
The Foreign Secretary said the change of heart by the US president demonstrated “the growing influence of the UK”.
Mr Trump signed an executive order last week reversing a previous decision that the children of illegal immigrants could be detained separately from their parents if caught at the border.
Around 2,000 children had been split from their family members since the US commander-in-chief ordered a ramping up of the policy in April - with images emerging of many being held in large cages.
Theresa May last week said the pictures were “deeply disturbing” and branded the policy “wrong” and “not something that we agree with”.
Shortly afterwards the president signed a fresh executive order saying family members would be kept together where possible.
Asked about the controversial policy in the House of Commons today, Mr Johnson said the Prime Minister had condemned it “and she speaks for the Government and indeed for me”.
He added: “No sooner had she spoken than the President of the United States repealed the policy.
“Thus demonstrating, I venture to suggest, the considerable and growing influence of the UK.”
The comment is unlikely to go down well with the US president, who was said to have grown frustrated by what a source called the “school mistress” tone taken by Mrs May.
He is due to visit the UK next month.
'F*** BUSINESS'
Elsewhere during the session, the Foreign Secretary appeared to confirm he had said “f*** business” in response to the Brexit fears expressed by big employers.
Airbus and BMW last week went public with concerns that the lack of clarity over Brexit could threaten their UK operations and prompt them to begin putting in place contingency plans.
Mr Johnson was said to have issued the crude riposte at a private meeting last week. Asked in the Commons whether he had in fact uttered the obscene jibe, he appeared to double down.
“I don’t think anybody could doubt the passionate support of this government for business,” he said.
“It may be that I have from time to time expressed scepticism about some of the views of those who profess to speak up for business.”
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