Boris Johnson turns down meeting with Donald Trump 'to focus on leadership race'

Boris Johnson and President Trump meeting at the UN HQ in 2017
AFP/Getty Images
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Boris Johnson stunned Westminster today by turning down a one-to-one meeting with Donald Trump.

The former Mayor of London is said to have declined the offer as he wanted instead to focus on a Tory leadership hustings happening at around the same time.

The two men are understood to have had a “friendly and productive” call lasting about 20 minutes today.

During the call, the US president offered a face-to-face meeting, according to a source.

Mr Johnson thanked him but declined the invitation, apparently on the grounds that he wanted to focus on a One Nation hustings this evening in the Commons.

The former Foreign Secretary said he looked forward to catching up with Mr Trump at a later date.

However, his decision to turn down a meeting with the world’s most powerful leader, who is also a deeply controversial figure, will inevitably spark speculation that he thought that it could undermine his bid for the Tory leadership, and to be Prime Minister.

The US president just days ago said he believes Mr Johnson would be “excellent” in the job.

However, it is not clear how the Tory membership of more than 100,000, who will decide who will succeed Theresa May, would regard what could be seen as Mr Trump favouring some contenders more than others.

Presidents and prime ministers tend to try to stay out of elections in other countries, though, they sometimes meet politicians who could win office imminently.

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