Boris Johnson urges world to be 'more gender neutral, feminine and green' as it builds back from Covid in bizarre opening remarks at G7 summit
- Boris Johnson is hosting world leaders for the G7 summit at Carbis Bay in Cornwall over the next three days
- PM urged leaders to ensure the world was more 'feminine' and 'gender neutral' in confusing opening remarks
- He insisted they should 'build back better' and avoid repeating mistakes made after the 2008 credit crunch
- No10 said Mr Johnson's 'feminine' recovery comment was reference to a £430m fund for children's education
- Downing Street has come off the fence on England team 'taking the knee' saying PM backs peaceful protest
- Tensions over the post-Brexit rules for NI have been threatening to overshadow the G7 summit in Cornwall Boris Johnson today urged G7 leaders to aim for a more 'feminine' and 'gender neutral' recovery from coronavirus in a bizarre opening speech.
Officially kicking off the summit in Carbis Bay, the PM appealed for them to 'level up' and not repeat the mistakes of the aftermath of the credit crunch when 'inequality' increased.
But he sparked bewilderment as he expanded on his vision for the qualities the world should be encouraging following the havoc wreaked by the devastating diseaseehind the team. It amounted to a slapdown for skills minister Gillian Keegan, who had slammed the gesture, linked to the BLM movement, for 'creating new divisions'.
It marks a significant shift for the government, which has seemed keen to take aim at the so-called 'woke' agenda, triggering claims that they are waging cultural wars.
But it will also spark alarm among Tory MPs, many of whom are deeply suspicious of a BLM movement they regard as hard-Left and anti-police
Boris Johnson today urged G7 leaders to aim for a more 'feminine' and 'gender neutral' recovery from coronavirus in a bizarre opening speech
As the leaders - including US president Joe Biden - sat around a table before the first session, Boris Johnson told them they need to 'build back better'
The PM and his new wife, wearing a vivid fuchsia dress, welcomed the guests to the official start of the summit one by one on a beachfront board walk
A grinning Emmanuel Macron strolled up alongside Brigitte (both right), with Boris Johnson (left with Carrie) warmly referring to him as 'Emmanuel' despite the French president stoking the Northern Ireland row by vowing to veto an overhaul of the protocol
Justin Trudeau arrived alone to be greeted by the PM and Carrie on the beach at Carbis Bay
Mr Biden quipped that everyone should go for a swim in the sea - with Mr Johnson joking in response that he had already been in
The new Mrs Johnson seemed to take easily to her hosting duties at the summit in Cornwall this afternoon
The couple were seen smiling as they stood on the beach in Cornwall today. Mrs Johnson looked radiant in pink
Following the photo opportunity, Mrs Biden was seen walking in Carbis Bay wearing a coat to protect her from the chill
The First Lady smiled at waiting photographers. She looked stylish in a red dress and beige trench coat
The Prime Minister and Mrs Johnson (right) with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and her husband Heiko
Mrs Johnson bumped elbows with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the beach today
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, US President Joe Biden, President of France, Emmanuel Macron and European Commission Ursula von der Leyen (left to right) after the leaders official welcome and family photo
Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and his wife Mariko Suga arrived in Cornwall ahead of the family photo
Mr Macron and US President Mr Biden walked together after the family photo at the start of the G7 summit in Carbis Bay, Cornwall
Mr Johnson walked next to German Chancellor Angela Merkel during the G7 summit in Carbis Bay today
President Biden and France's President Macron smiled as they walked along the boardwalk during the G7 summit
Mr Macron placed a hand on a distracted Mr Johnson's back during the photo opportunity in Carbis Bay today
Mr and Mrs Johnson are seen smiling next to Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as they pose for a photo.Before going into the private discussions that he described as a 'fireside chat' for the world's most powerful countries, Mr Johnson told the group how pleased he was they could all meet in person for the first time since the crisis erupted.
'I actually think this is a meeting that genuinely needs to happen because we need to make sure that we learn the lessons from the pandemic, we need to make sure that we don't repeat some of the errors that we doubtless made in the course of the last 18 months or so and we need to make sure that we now allow our economies to recover,' he said.
'I think that they have the potential to bounce back very strongly and there is all sorts of reasons for being optimistic.
'But it is vital that we don't repeat the mistake of the last great crisis, the last great economic recession in 2008, when the recovery was not uniform across all parts of society and I think what has gone wrong with this pandemic, or what risks being a lasting scar, is that I think the inequalities may be entrenched.
'We need to make sure that as we recover we level up across our societies and we build back better.'
Earlier, the PM and Carrie - believed to be a major influence on his green agenda - were all smiles as they formally greeted G7 leaders on the golden sands of Carbis Bay.
The PM and his new wife, wearing a vivid fuchsia dress, welcomed the guests to the official start of the summit one by one on a beachfront board walk.
Mr Johnson, who notoriously boasted he was still shaking hands with everyone in the early stages of the pandemic, appeared to remind himself not to get too close, saying 'Elbows!'
Joe Biden was accompanied by wife Jill, while Angela Merkel was with her husband, but Justin Trudeau and Mario Draghi of Italy arrived alone. A grinning Emmanuel Macron strolled up alongside Brigitte, with Mr Johnson warmly referring to him as 'Emmanuel' despite the French president stoking the Northern Ireland row by vowing to veto an overhaul of the protocol.
Mr Biden made a quip urging people to go swimming, saying 'everyone in the water'- with Mr Johnson joking in response that he had already been in.
Jill Biden laughed: 'I feel like we are at a wedding'. Later Mr Johnson joked that it was like 'walking down the aisle.'
The leaders then posed for the traditional family photograph - again socially distanced - before heading inside for the first summit session.
But there was time for one more move from Mr Macron. As Mr Johnson led the way at the urging of Mrs Merkel, the French President took the opportunity to throw his arm around Mr Biden's shoulders and begin an animated discussion.
In a shift from last week when Downing Street dodged over whether it disapproved of booing by fans, the PM called for the players' actions in taking the knee to be respected today.
Asked to give a categorical answer on whether Mr Johnson supported the England team's stance, the premier's official spokesman said: 'Yes. The Prime Minister respects the rights of all people to peacefully protest and make their feeling known about injustices.'
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and US President Joe Biden laugh as leaders walk to the family photo at the G7 Summit
Boris Johnson greets European Council President Charles Michel ahead of the family photo during the G7 Summit in Carbis Bay
The spokesman added: 'I think the Prime Minister has spoken before about his desire for everybody to get behind the national team and as I said, the PM would like to see everyone getting behind the team to cheer them on, not boo.'
Scotland's football team this afternoon reversed their decision to refused to take the knee and will now join England in the act at Wembley.
Manager Steve Clarke and captain Andy Robertson had said on Thursday that they would continue to take a stand against racism - as they have done since March - rather than kneeling before matches, a symbol they believe has become 'diluted'.
But Robertson has revealed that the recent booing of England's players before matches has caused a rethink among their squad.
He said: 'For this reason, we have collectively decided to again take the knee as a team for the fixture against England at Wembley Stadium.
'The Scotland team stands against racism but we will kneel against ignorance and in solidarity on June 18.'
Tories have voiced fury at the obstructive stance from Mr Macron and demanded 'pragmatism' on the Brexit arrangements amid fears the trade rules are fuelling sectarian tensions in the province.
Ramping up the so-called 'sausage war', the French president said it was 'not serious' to want to change the arrangements so quickly.
'I think it's not serious to want to review in June what we finalised after years of debate and work in December,' he said, adding that he will discuss the situation with Mr Johnson during a bilateral meeting at the G7 summit today.
But Mr Johnson sounded defiance today, boosted by Mr Biden seemingly backing off a confrontation in their talks, insisting the trade rules are 'excessively burdensome'.
And Tory MP David Jones told MailOnline: 'It is posturing. He's actually been posturing for quite a long time.
'He's in a very precarious position domestically and quite clearly he is attempting to show toughness as a way of boosting his chances in the approach to the presidential election.
'Given that the UK and the US both agree that pragmatism is necessary, I would imagine that the EU will pay attention and, if so, he is going to be out of step with the rest of the bloc.'
As Mr Johnson led the way inside at the urging of Mrs Merkel, Mr Macron took the opportunity to throw his arm around Mr Biden's shoulders and begin an animated discussion
Prime Minister Boris Johnson bumps elbows with France's President Emmanuel Macron at Carbis Bay in Cornwall today
From left, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, President of the European Council Charles Michel, US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, French President Emmanuel Macron, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, during the 'family photo' at Carbis Bay today
Prime Minister Boris Johnson greets Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with an elbow during the G7 summit today
European Council President Charles Michel's wife Amelie Derbaudrenghien (left) gets an elbow bump from Carrie Johnson
EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen, council president Charles Michel and French president Emmanuel Marcon seemed pleased to see each other today
Italian PM Mario Draghi joined the fun as the summit got under way this afternoon
Tories voiced fury at the obstructive stance from Emmanuel Macron (pictured arriving at the G7 summit with wife Brigitte today)
Boris Johnson (left with Joe Biden yesterday) has branded the Northern Ireland protocol 'excessively burdensome'
Mr Biden and Mr Johnson insisted they were in 'complete harmony' last night as they tried to sweep away explosive claims of an eve-of-summit diplomatic row. Pictured, blimps of the PM and president at Carbis Bay today
Earlier today, the Duchess of Cambridge and US First Lady Jill Biden visited Connor Downs Academy in Hayle, West Cornwall, during the G7 summit
The pair, who have never met before, shared a laugh as they arrived for the official visit
The new friends shared a laugh as they went to feed the school rabbit today
The row over the Northern Ireland Protocol have been threatening to overshadow the G7 gathering at Carbis Bay.
Mr Biden and Mr Johnson insisted they were in 'complete harmony' last night as they tried to sweep away explosive claims of an eve-of-summit diplomatic row.
After their first face-to-face talks, the Prime Minister said he and President Biden shared 'common ground' over maintaining Ulster peace and the Good Friday Agreement.
Brussels is threatening to retaliate if Britain takes unilateral action to continue the flow of British-produced chilled meats to Northern Ireland when a grace period ends this month.
G7 leaders including Angela Merkel arrived for the summit in Carbis Bay, Cornwall today
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and his wife Mariko were among the arrivals today
Italian PM Mario Draghi waved to waiting media as he arrived at the summit in Cornwall today
There have been colourful climate protests going on near the gathering of world leaders
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are greeted by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie Johnson, ahead of the G-7 summit, Thursday, June 10
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The President of the United States, Joe Biden stands next to the The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson giving a thumbs up in front of the G7 sign while at the G7 Leaders' Summit. Carbis Bay, Cornwall
Britain accused the EU of adopting a 'purist' approach to the Brexit withdrawal deal in Northern Ireland amid warnings that sales of sausages from the rest of the UK could be blocked.
Mr Johnson, who will hold talks with EU leaders over the course of the G7 summit, told the BBC: 'You will understand that there are ways of enforcing the protocol, ways of making it work, that may be excessively burdensome.
'I just give you one statistic: 20% of the checks conducted across the whole of the perimeter of the EU are now done in Northern Ireland, three times as many as happen in Rotterdam.'
The new post-Brexit arrangements came into effect on January 1 and the dispute is still simmering, but Mr Johnson insisted 'I think we can sort it out'.
Downing Street has been urging Brussels to show 'common sense and pragmatism'.
The appeal came after European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic said the EU would act 'swiftly, firmly and resolutely' if the UK tried to backtrack on its obligations under the deal.
It came amid reports Britain is ready to act unilaterally to delay imposition of checks on chilled meats such as sausages and chicken nuggets coming to Northern Ireland from Great Britain when the current 'grace period' expires at the end of June.
While the Prime Minister's official spokesman refused to be drawn on what steps the Government would take if there was no agreement by that point, he insisted there was no justification for barring chilled meats from Northern Irish shops.
'Any ban would be contrary to the aims of the protocol and the interests of the people of Northern Ireland,' the spokesman said.
'The protocol was a compromise. We didn't expect the EU to take a purist approach when implementing it. We are working very hard to try to resolve these issues consensually.
'The Prime Minister has always made clear we will consider all our options in meeting our responsibility to sustain peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland.
'We hope that the EU will show the common sense and pragmatism needed to make progress.'
His comments came after Environment Secretary George Eustice dismissed the idea of controls on the movement of chilled meats between the rest of the UK and Northern Ireland as 'bonkers'.
'I think that's a nonsense. I think we've got a very good sausage industry in this country, we've got the highest standards of food hygiene in the world,' he told LBC.
Earlier, Mr Sefcovic raised the prospect of a trade war - with Brussels imposing tariffs and quotas on British exports - if the UK failed to meet its international obligations under the the Northern Ireland Protocol.
The deal - intended to ensure there is no return to a hard border with the Republic - means that Northern Ireland remains part of the EU single market, which in turn requires checks on some goods coming from Great Britain.
But Mr Sefcovic - who will hold talks with Brexit minister Lord Frost on Wednesday - said there had been 'numerous and fundamental gaps' in the UK's implementation of the agreement.
Writing in The Daily Telegraph, he said that if Britain took further unilateral actions the EU 'will not be shy in reacting swiftly, firmly and resolutely to ensure that the UK abides by its international law obligations'.
Asked yesterday if the President had made his alarm about the situation with the Northern Ireland Protocol clear, Mr Johnson said simply: 'No, he didn't.'
He added: 'What I can say is that America – the United States, Washington – the UK, plus the European Union, have one thing we absolutely all want to do and that is to uphold the Belfast Good Friday Agreement and make sure we keep the balance of the peace process going. That's absolutely common ground and I'm optimistic that we can do that.'
Claims of a row over the Northern Ireland Protocol and the post-Brexit trading relationship between the UK and the EU had threatened to overshadow the G7. Asked yesterday if the President had made his alarm about the situation with the Northern Ireland Protocol clear, Mr Johnson said simply: 'No, he didn't'
Meanwhile, a senior US administration official also tried to play down the row yesterday, insisting that the President had not come 'to give a lecture' on the issue.
'The US is not in those negotiations and not seeking to be in those negotiations,' the official said.
'We are instead a strong and vigorous supporter of practical, creative, flexible, results-oriented negotiations that, at the end of the day, produce a result that protects all of the gains that the people of Northern Ireland have made.
'It will not be confrontational or adversarial or... he didn't come here to give a lecture. He came merely to communicate what he believes very, very deeply about peace in Northern Ireland.'
It was alleged yesterday that Mr Biden had ordered officials to issue a rare diplomatic rebuke to the UK only last week over its continued opposition to the full implementation of the Protocol.
It was reported that Yael Lempert, America's most senior diplomat in Britain, had told Lord Frost, the Brexit minister, that the Government was 'inflaming' tensions with its opposition to checks at Northern Irish ports.
Minutes of the meeting on June 3 were said to have revealed that Lord Frost was told of Mr Biden's 'great concern' over his stance.
It was said to have resulted in a 'demarche' – a formal diplomatic communication or protest.
The disclosure of Mr Biden's apparent protest sparked anger in some quarters yesterday, with new DUP leader Edwin Poots saying that the President's alleged intervention was 'not well informed'.
He accused America of potentially 'ignoring' problems with the Protocol. Mr Poots warned BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'America may be prepared to drive a coach and horses through the Good Friday Agreement.'
A Whitehall source played down the significance of the demarche, saying it was 'not uncommon' for allies to voice their disagreements in diplomatic notes.
There was irritation at the leaking of the note, with some suspecting it was done by anti-Brexit officials to damage the Government.
Kate Middleton and Mrs Biden got on very well on their first meeting today, which could lead to more over the coming years because both share a passion for education
Kate and the First Lady at the Connor Downs Academy near Camborne this afternoon looking at a project with the children
Mrs Biden showed children a picture of the White House, where she lives with the US President Joe Biden. The young students have been learning about it ahead of the visit
The Duchess of Cambridge talks with children in the school's Reception Class this afternoon
The Duchess of Cambridge, 39, cut an elegant figure in a fuchsia dress with matching shoes as she arrived to meet the President's wife Dr Jill Biden in Cornwall this afternoon
Brexiteer MP Peter Bone said: 'If he is just urging a resolution of the dispute, that's fine – we want a resolution. But he should not be taking the EU's side.'
Pro-Remain Tory MP Tom Tugendhat said: 'I'm surprised that the President decided to enter this debate so publicly at a very sensitive time for all parties.'
But Irish premier Micheal Martin said Mr Biden's rebuke was a call to do the 'sensible thing' and resolve trade issues with the EU.
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