Recently, discharged from hospital after being treated from the coronavirus, British PM Boris Johnson returned to work on April 21. He spoke with US President Donald Trump over a phone call. Both the leaders discussed the need to reopen economies.

UK PM Boris Johnson agrees on the need to reopen economies: Spoke to Donald Trump over call

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was recuperating Monday at his countryside retreat and remained off work after saying his battle with coronavirus "could have gone either way".

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/quarantine-measures-taken-according-to-law-says-china-amid-racism-row-against-africans-in-guangzhou-292296" hreflang="en">Quarantine measures taken according to law, says China amid racism row against Africans in Guangzhou</a>

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is currently deputising for him, but the government is set to make a decision this week on whether to maintain Britain's lockdown.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-times-of-social-distancing-a-dog-delivers-wine-in-us-292298" hreflang="en">At times of social distancing, a dog delivers wine in US</a>

Confinement measures have been in place since March 20 across the country, where more than 10,000 people have died from COVID-19, making it one of the worst-affected nations in the global pandemic.

Johnson became the most high-profile leader to contract the virus last month and spent a week in hospital -- including three days in intensive care -- before being discharged Sunday.&nbsp;

He thanked medics who cared for him when it "could have gone either way" in a candid video message released Sunday.&nbsp;

The 55-year-old is now staying at Chequers, a 16th-century mansion northwest of London used as a retreat by British premiers for the past century.&nbsp;

He has reportedly been reunited with his pregnant partner Carrie Symonds, who earlier this month reported suffering from coronavirus symptoms herself.&nbsp;

Over the weekend, Johnson spoke to Raab, who he asked to stand in for him when he was admitted to intensive care one week ago.

"The prime minister is focusing on his recovery, and he's not currently carrying out government work," Johnson's spokesman said Monday.&nbsp;

Raab has been chairing the government's daily meetings on coronavirus, but a decision is due on Thursday when the three-week-old nationwide lockdown comes up for review.

Ministers must decide whether to continue demanding people stay at home where necessary, and keep non-essential shops closed.

Given the death toll, has been rising by around 900 per day since last week, few expect the restrictions to be lifted this week.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said in Scotland, "that review is not likely to result in these restrictions being lifted in the very near future".

"There are early optimistic signs that the steps we are taking are working, but until we know more, until we have solid evidence, we must stick with it," she told reporters in Edinburgh.

- 'Saved my life' - &nbsp; 
Johnson's government has faced questions about whether it was too slow to impose the lockdown, keeping pubs, shops and schools open even while they shut across Europe.

According to The Times newspaper, 10 cabinet ministers -- just under half -- are pressing for the lockdown to be eased next month over concern about the economic impact.

The government also remains under pressure as doctors and nurses complain of a lack of protective equipment and a shortage of coronavirus tests.

Johnson tested positive at the end of March, and after 10 days holed up in Downing Street was admitted to hospital. Twenty-four hours later he was moved to intensive care.

He was given oxygen, although he was not put on a ventilator, and in a video message released on Sunday, he said he had been in real danger.

"I hope they won't mind if I mention in particular two nurses who stood by my bedside for 48 hours when things could have gone either way," he said.

He named them as Jenny from New Zealand and Luis from Portugal, both of whom work for Britain's state-run National Health Service (NHS).

He added "the NHS has saved my life, no question".&nbsp;

The parents of Jenny, identified in media as Jenny McGee, spoke of their "exceptional" pride at her role.

"She has told us these things over the years and it doesn't matter what patient she is looking after, this is what she does," her mother Caroline told Television New Zealand.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was recuperating Monday at his countryside retreat and remained off work after saying his battle with coronavirus "could have gone either way".

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was recuperating Monday at his countryside retreat and remained off work after saying his battle with coronavirus "could have gone either way". Also read: Quarantine measures taken according to law, says China amid racism row against Africans in Guangzhou Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is currently deputising for him, but the government is set to make a decision this week on whether to maintain Britain's lockdown. Also read: At times of social distancing, a dog delivers wine in US Confinement measures have been in place since March 20 across the country, where more than 10,000 people have died from COVID-19, making it one of the worst-affected nations in the global pandemic. Johnson became the most high-profile leader to contract the virus last month and spent a week in hospital -- including three days in intensive care -- before being discharged Sunday. He thanked medics who cared for him when it "could have gone either way" in a candid video message released Sunday. The 55-year-old is now staying at Chequers, a 16th-century mansion northwest of London used as a retreat by British premiers for the past century. He has reportedly been reunited with his pregnant partner Carrie Symonds, who earlier this month reported suffering from coronavirus symptoms herself. Over the weekend, Johnson spoke to Raab, who he asked to stand in for him when he was admitted to intensive care one week ago. "The prime minister is focusing on his recovery, and he's not currently carrying out government work," Johnson's spokesman said Monday. Raab has been chairing the government's daily meetings on coronavirus, but a decision is due on Thursday when the three-week-old nationwide lockdown comes up for review. Ministers must decide whether to continue demanding people stay at home where necessary, and keep non-essential shops closed. Given the death toll, has been rising by around 900 per day since last week, few expect the restrictions to be lifted this week. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said in Scotland, "that review is not likely to result in these restrictions being lifted in the very near future". "There are early optimistic signs that the steps we are taking are working, but until we know more, until we have solid evidence, we must stick with it," she told reporters in Edinburgh. - 'Saved my life' - Johnson's government has faced questions about whether it was too slow to impose the lockdown, keeping pubs, shops and schools open even while they shut across Europe. According to The Times newspaper, 10 cabinet ministers -- just under half -- are pressing for the lockdown to be eased next month over concern about the economic impact. The government also remains under pressure as doctors and nurses complain of a lack of protective equipment and a shortage of coronavirus tests. Johnson tested positive at the end of March, and after 10 days holed up in Downing Street was admitted to hospital. Twenty-four hours later he was moved to intensive care. He was given oxygen, although he was not put on a ventilator, and in a video message released on Sunday, he said he had been in real danger. "I hope they won't mind if I mention in particular two nurses who stood by my bedside for 48 hours when things could have gone either way," he said. He named them as Jenny from New Zealand and Luis from Portugal, both of whom work for Britain's state-run National Health Service (NHS). He added "the NHS has saved my life, no question". The parents of Jenny, identified in media as Jenny McGee, spoke of their "exceptional" pride at her role. "She has told us these things over the years and it doesn't matter what patient she is looking after, this is what she does," her mother Caroline told Television New Zealand.

Coronavirus: United Kingdom's Johnson recuperates as virus lockdown decision looms

Prime Minister Boris Johnson enters the third day in the intensive care unit on Wednesday battling the coronavirus. Coronavirus has infected more than 55,000 people across the country and killed nearly 6,200. Watch report

UK PM Boris Johnson enters 3rd day in ICU, Is stable & in good spirit

There has been a major cabinet re-shuffle in the United Kingdom. Three Indian-origin legislators now form the top-3&nbsp;of PM Boris Johnson's cabinet.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/from-working-in-chemist-shop-to-becoming-uks-new-finance-minister-who-is-rishi-sunak-280574" hreflang="en">From working in chemist shop to becoming UK's new finance minister - Who is Rishi Sunak?</a>

On Thursday, Rishi Sunak was appointed the chancellor to the exchequer, which is equivalent to a finance minister in most governments across the world.

Rishi hails from a Punjabi family in Southampton and has served as a junior minister to the former finance minister Sajid Javid.&nbsp;Javid's sudden exit resulted in Sunak's elevation to the position.

In India, he is mostly known as the son-in-law of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy.&nbsp;In his new position, Sunak will move into number 11 Downing Street right next door to PM Boris Johnson.

Rishi has previously worked at Goldman Sachs and has also co-founded a global investment firm.&nbsp;Sunak's most pressing engagement will be presenting the UK's budget next month.

In a Twitter post soon after his appointment, Sunak emphasised on the great rapport he shared with his predecessor Sajid Javid and promised to build on his great work.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I am honoured to be appointed as Chancellor of the Exchequer. 
 
My predecessor and good friend Saj did a fantastic job in his time at the Treasury. He was a pleasure to work with and I hope to be able to build on his great work going forward.
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) <a href="https://twitter.com/RishiSunak/status/1228027925901053952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The second big appointment was Alok Sharma as the secretary of business and energy departments.&nbsp;He was born in Agra and moved to the United Kingdom at the age of 5.&nbsp;Sharma's biggest challenge will be at the UN climate summit to be held in November this year where he will assume the role of summit president.

In the summit, countries are expected to bring forward plans to cut emissions as part of the Paris agreement, however,&nbsp;very few have produced a concrete roadmap.&nbsp;There will be pressure on Alok Sharma to produce results coming November.

Priti Patel meanwhile has retained the home department. She is a second-generation immigrant from India and has been serving as the home minister since July last year.

A self- confessed follower of the 'Thatcher doctrine', Patel entered politics as a teenager and was elected to the House of Commons in 2010.

Other than their Indian origin, these three&nbsp;leaders are bound together by another commonality, they were huge 'leave' campaigners during Brexit and have been unequivocal supporters of Boris Johnson's policies.

There has been a major cabinet re-shuffle in the United Kingdom. Three Indian-origin legislators now form the top-3 of PM Boris Johnson's cabinet. Also read: From working in chemist shop to becoming UK's new finance minister - Who is Rishi Sunak?

There has been a major cabinet re-shuffle in the United Kingdom. Three Indian-origin legislators now form the top-3 of PM Boris Johnson's cabinet. Also read: From working in chemist shop to becoming UK's new finance minister - Who is Rishi Sunak? On Thursday, Rishi Sunak was appointed the chancellor to the exchequer, which is equivalent to a finance minister in most governments across the world. Rishi hails from a Punjabi family in Southampton and has served as a junior minister to the former finance minister Sajid Javid. Javid's sudden exit resulted in Sunak's elevation to the position. In India, he is mostly known as the son-in-law of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy. In his new position, Sunak will move into number 11 Downing Street right next door to PM Boris Johnson. Rishi has previously worked at Goldman Sachs and has also co-founded a global investment firm. Sunak's most pressing engagement will be presenting the UK's budget next month. In a Twitter post soon after his appointment, Sunak emphasised on the great rapport he shared with his predecessor Sajid Javid and promised to build on his great work. I am honoured to be appointed as Chancellor of the Exchequer. My predecessor and good friend Saj did a fantastic job in his time at the Treasury. He was a pleasure to work with and I hope to be able to build on his great work going forward. — Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) February 13, 2020 × The second big appointment was Alok Sharma as the secretary of business and energy departments. He was born in Agra and moved to the United Kingdom at the age of 5. Sharma's biggest challenge will be at the UN climate summit to be held in November this year where he will assume the role of summit president. In the summit, countries are expected to bring forward plans to cut emissions as part of the Paris agreement, however, very few have produced a concrete roadmap. There will be pressure on Alok Sharma to produce results coming November. Priti Patel meanwhile has retained the home department. She is a second-generation immigrant from India and has been serving as the home minister since July last year. A self- confessed follower of the 'Thatcher doctrine', Patel entered politics as a teenager and was elected to the House of Commons in 2010. Other than their Indian origin, these three leaders are bound together by another commonality, they were huge 'leave' campaigners during Brexit and have been unequivocal supporters of Boris Johnson's policies.

Three Indian origin MPs make it to Johnson's cabinet

In a ceremony that marks a new parliament, Queen Elizabeth will read&nbsp;out&nbsp;the laws which the government wants the House of Commons to approve and will pinpoint&nbsp;Johnson's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/queen-elizabeth-to-set-out-pm-johnsons-agenda-on-thursday-268326">priorities</a>&nbsp;after winning a commanding majority at last week's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/uk-election-what-boris-johnsons-victory-means-for-britains-place-in-the-world-268495">national election</a>.

The prime minister, who won over many traditional supporters of the main opposition Labour Party in northern and central England, has proclaimed he will lead a "people's government" and will move to fulfil his pledge to "get&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;done".

The&nbsp;Queen's&nbsp;Speech&nbsp;will include new legislation needed to implement the future relationship&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;has promised to agree with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/first-stop-brexit-uks-johnson-gets-down-to-work-268636">EU</a> by the end of 2020. He plans to pass the laws needed to finalise the divorce agreement by Jan. 31.

He will also cement his commitment to spend more on&nbsp;Britain's&nbsp;much-loved but struggling <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/queen-elizabeth-to-set-out-pm-johnsons-agenda-on-thursday-268326">National&nbsp;Health&nbsp;Service</a> by prioritising legislation to guarantee funding increases, rising to an extra 33.9 billion pounds per year by 2023-24.

"The NHS is the single greatest institution in this country," he told a reception of&nbsp;health&nbsp;workers late on Wednesday. "We are now putting the biggest investment in the NHS in living memory. We have to keep that investment going."

On Tuesday,&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;told his top team of ministers that they "ain't seen nothing yet folks", warning them that there was much to do to pay back the trust offered his government in the election on Dec. 12 when he won a majority of 80.

After more than three years of debate over&nbsp;Brexit,&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;wants to move quickly to try to unite a country riven by disagreements over how, when or whether Britain should leave the EU. Towns, villages and even families have been fractured.

His aides say he is also determined to try to keep the support of those voters in northern and central England, many of whom voted for the governing Conservatives for the first time, by trying to make their lives better.

With a&nbsp;healthy majority, he should be able to fulfil his priority to "get&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;done" and is expected to announce that the divorce agreement, or Withdrawal Agreement Bill, is brought back to parliament before Christmas and then passed quickly.

He will also offer some insight into how he wants to tackle the domestic concerns highlighted in the election campaign.

Beyond increased funding for the NHS, he is also expected to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/uk-business-seeks-brexit-assurances-after-johnson-win-268132">outline measures</a> to strengthen the justice system, improve transport, better protect those people who rent their homes and kickstart talks to restore the government in Northern Ireland.

In a ceremony that marks a new parliament, Queen Elizabeth will read out the laws which the government wants the House of Commons to approve and will pinpoint Johnson's priorities after winning a commanding majority at last week's national election.

In a ceremony that marks a new parliament, Queen Elizabeth will read out the laws which the government wants the House of Commons to approve and will pinpoint Johnson's priorities after winning a commanding majority at last week's national election. The prime minister, who won over many traditional supporters of the main opposition Labour Party in northern and central England, has proclaimed he will lead a "people's government" and will move to fulfil his pledge to "get Brexit done". The Queen's Speech will include new legislation needed to implement the future relationship Johnson has promised to agree with the EU by the end of 2020. He plans to pass the laws needed to finalise the divorce agreement by Jan. 31. He will also cement his commitment to spend more on Britain's much-loved but struggling National Health Service by prioritising legislation to guarantee funding increases, rising to an extra 33.9 billion pounds per year by 2023-24. "The NHS is the single greatest institution in this country," he told a reception of health workers late on Wednesday. "We are now putting the biggest investment in the NHS in living memory. We have to keep that investment going." On Tuesday, Johnson told his top team of ministers that they "ain't seen nothing yet folks", warning them that there was much to do to pay back the trust offered his government in the election on Dec. 12 when he won a majority of 80. After more than three years of debate over Brexit, Johnson wants to move quickly to try to unite a country riven by disagreements over how, when or whether Britain should leave the EU. Towns, villages and even families have been fractured. His aides say he is also determined to try to keep the support of those voters in northern and central England, many of whom voted for the governing Conservatives for the first time, by trying to make their lives better. With a healthy majority, he should be able to fulfil his priority to "get Brexit done" and is expected to announce that the divorce agreement, or Withdrawal Agreement Bill, is brought back to parliament before Christmas and then passed quickly. He will also offer some insight into how he wants to tackle the domestic concerns highlighted in the election campaign. Beyond increased funding for the NHS, he is also expected to outline measures to strengthen the justice system, improve transport, better protect those people who rent their homes and kickstart talks to restore the government in Northern Ireland.

Brexit and health, Britain's Johnson sets out priorities in Queen's Speech

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tried to fire up supporters with a Brexit rallying cry on Wednesday after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-prime-minister-boris-johnson-vows-to-get-brexit-done-compares-opposition-rival-jeremy-corbyn-to-stalin-260346">first day of his election campaign</a> was marred by a ministerial resignation, a gaffe about a deadly tower blaze and a doctored video advert.

Johnson called a snap Dec. 12 election in a bid to break the Brexit deadlock that he says has paralysed Britain for more than three years and had started to undermine confidence in the world's fifth largest economy.

But just an hour after meeting Queen Elizabeth to formally begin the campaign, Johnson's minister for Wales, Alun Cairns, resigned after being accused of lying about his knowledge about an aide who allegedly sabotaged a rape trial..

At the start of the campaign, Johnson's Conservatives enjoy a lead over the opposition Labour Party of between 7 and 17 percentage points, though pollsters warn that their models are wilting beside the Brexit furnace.

Johnson held a rally in Birmingham, casting the election as the most important in a generation and setting out the campaign message he will take across the country.

"Let's get Brexit done, my friends, and get on with our project of sensible, moderate, but tax-cutting one-nation Conservatism," he said to loud cheers from party supporters waving banners promoting health, education and policing reforms.

Johnson said Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn hated wealth and was thus like Soviet leader Josef Stalin - who sent millions to their deaths in labour camps. Corbyn said such remarks were "nonsense" that the super-rich came up with to avoid paying more tax.

Earlier, Conservative Party Chairman James Cleverly spent the morning defending distributing a doctored video clip of a rival Labour politician instead of touting Johnson's election campaign launch.

Another prominent Conservative, Jacob Rees-Mogg, apologised on Tuesday after he suggested that victims of the 2017 blaze at London's Grenfell Tower should have used common sense to ignore firefighters' instructions to stay in the burning building.

Election gamble

Johnson, 55, hopes he will win a big enough majority in parliament to get the Brexit deal he agreed with Brussels last month ratified and lead Britain out of the European Union in January.

He said the alternative was an unstable coalition led by Corbyn that would bring a "horror show" year in 2020 of fresh referendums on EU membership and Scottish independence.

Johnson painted Labour's Corbyn as a socialist wrecker determined to usher in yet more political crisis.

"They pretend that their hatred is directed only at certain billionaires – and they point their fingers at individuals with a relish and a vindictiveness not seen since Stalin persecuted the kulaks," Johnson wrote in an article for the Daily Telegraph newspaper. "They would destroy the very basis of this country's prosperity."

Millions of people were executed under Stalin and many more perished from abuse and disease in a vast network of prison camps, known as the Gulags. Relatively affluent farmers, known as kulaks, were among the groups targeted.

Corbyn, speaking at a campaign event in the English town of Telford, said Labour would deliver real change and share power and wealth with people who "don't have friends in high places".

He also cautioned against believing the consensus view that Johnson was assured victory, citing the 2017 election when Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May, bet on calling a snap election when also far ahead in the polls but lost her majority.

"In the 2017 election, there were queues of experts ... lining up at the beginning of the campaign to write off the Labour Party, and what happened then?" Corbyn said.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tried to fire up supporters with a Brexit rallying cry on Wednesday after the first day of his election campaign was marred by a ministerial resignation, a gaffe about a deadly tower blaze and a doctored video advert.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tried to fire up supporters with a Brexit rallying cry on Wednesday after the first day of his election campaign was marred by a ministerial resignation, a gaffe about a deadly tower blaze and a doctored video advert. Johnson called a snap Dec. 12 election in a bid to break the Brexit deadlock that he says has paralysed Britain for more than three years and had started to undermine confidence in the world's fifth largest economy. But just an hour after meeting Queen Elizabeth to formally begin the campaign, Johnson's minister for Wales, Alun Cairns, resigned after being accused of lying about his knowledge about an aide who allegedly sabotaged a rape trial.. At the start of the campaign, Johnson's Conservatives enjoy a lead over the opposition Labour Party of between 7 and 17 percentage points, though pollsters warn that their models are wilting beside the Brexit furnace. Johnson held a rally in Birmingham, casting the election as the most important in a generation and setting out the campaign message he will take across the country. "Let's get Brexit done, my friends, and get on with our project of sensible, moderate, but tax-cutting one-nation Conservatism," he said to loud cheers from party supporters waving banners promoting health, education and policing reforms. Johnson said Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn hated wealth and was thus like Soviet leader Josef Stalin - who sent millions to their deaths in labour camps. Corbyn said such remarks were "nonsense" that the super-rich came up with to avoid paying more tax. Earlier, Conservative Party Chairman James Cleverly spent the morning defending distributing a doctored video clip of a rival Labour politician instead of touting Johnson's election campaign launch. Another prominent Conservative, Jacob Rees-Mogg, apologised on Tuesday after he suggested that victims of the 2017 blaze at London's Grenfell Tower should have used common sense to ignore firefighters' instructions to stay in the burning building. Election gamble Johnson, 55, hopes he will win a big enough majority in parliament to get the Brexit deal he agreed with Brussels last month ratified and lead Britain out of the European Union in January. He said the alternative was an unstable coalition led by Corbyn that would bring a "horror show" year in 2020 of fresh referendums on EU membership and Scottish independence. Johnson painted Labour's Corbyn as a socialist wrecker determined to usher in yet more political crisis. "They pretend that their hatred is directed only at certain billionaires – and they point their fingers at individuals with a relish and a vindictiveness not seen since Stalin persecuted the kulaks," Johnson wrote in an article for the Daily Telegraph newspaper. "They would destroy the very basis of this country's prosperity." Millions of people were executed under Stalin and many more perished from abuse and disease in a vast network of prison camps, known as the Gulags. Relatively affluent farmers, known as kulaks, were among the groups targeted. Corbyn, speaking at a campaign event in the English town of Telford, said Labour would deliver real change and share power and wealth with people who "don't have friends in high places". He also cautioned against believing the consensus view that Johnson was assured victory, citing the 2017 election when Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May, bet on calling a snap election when also far ahead in the polls but lost her majority. "In the 2017 election, there were queues of experts ... lining up at the beginning of the campaign to write off the Labour Party, and what happened then?" Corbyn said.

Boris Johnson's election campaign launch marred by gaffe, resignation, doctored video

After delaying Brexit for the third time, will the UK finally leave European Union on 31st January 2020? Answer to that will be decided after the general elections on December 12, 2019.

WION Dispatch: Brexit-scrambled UK heads to polls

Britain will hold its first December election in almost a century after Prime Minister Boris Johnson won approval from parliament on Tuesday (October 28) for an early ballot aimed at breaking the Brexit deadlock.

Britain set for Dec. 12 election to break the Brexit deadlock

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-boris-johnson-very-worried-about-trade-tensions-tariff-hikes-245371">British Prime Minister Boris Johnson </a>on Saturday urged US President Donald Trump to remove the "considerable barriers" for UK companies seeking to export to the American market, saying they risked impeding a free-trade deal after Brexit.

Speaking as the Group of Seven summit of top nations got underway in Biarritz, Johnson pointed to a string of UK products -- ranging from shower trays to Britain's beloved pork pies -- that he said were not allowed on the American market.

"I think there is a massive opportunity for Britain, but we must understand that it is not all going to be plain sailing," Johnson told reporters.

"There remain very considerable barriers in the US to British businesses which are not widely understood," he said, adding that he had raised this in telephone discussions with Trump, and would do so again when they meet for bilateral talks on Sunday morning.

"It is very important, if we are going to do a fantastic free trade deal, it is a free trade that works in the interests of British business," he said.

Johnson and other supporters of Britain's exit from the European Union see a trade deal with the US as key to making a success of Brexit, by creating new opportunities for British firms.

The issue could become a rare bone of contention between Johnson and Trump, with the pair having warm relations dating back to well before the British premier arrived in office last month.

Their meeting on Saturday will be their first face-to-face encounter since Johnson became prime minister.

In a flourish characteristic of Johnson, he complained in particular that Americans can't savour Britain's famed Melton Mowbray pork pies, which he said are sold even in Thailand and Iceland.

The pastries "are currently unable to enter the US market because of, I don't know, some sort of Food and Drug Administration restriction," he said, without specifying further.

"There are massive opportunities for UK companies to open up, to prise open the American market," he insisted.

"We intend to seize those opportunities but they are going to require our American friends to compromise and to open up their approach, because currently there are too many restrictions," he said.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday urged US President Donald Trump to remove the "considerable barriers" for UK companies seeking to export to the American market, saying they risked impeding a free-trade deal after Brexit.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday urged US President Donald Trump to remove the "considerable barriers" for UK companies seeking to export to the American market, saying they risked impeding a free-trade deal after Brexit. Speaking as the Group of Seven summit of top nations got underway in Biarritz, Johnson pointed to a string of UK products -- ranging from shower trays to Britain's beloved pork pies -- that he said were not allowed on the American market. "I think there is a massive opportunity for Britain, but we must understand that it is not all going to be plain sailing," Johnson told reporters. "There remain very considerable barriers in the US to British businesses which are not widely understood," he said, adding that he had raised this in telephone discussions with Trump, and would do so again when they meet for bilateral talks on Sunday morning. "It is very important, if we are going to do a fantastic free trade deal, it is a free trade that works in the interests of British business," he said. Johnson and other supporters of Britain's exit from the European Union see a trade deal with the US as key to making a success of Brexit, by creating new opportunities for British firms. The issue could become a rare bone of contention between Johnson and Trump, with the pair having warm relations dating back to well before the British premier arrived in office last month. Their meeting on Saturday will be their first face-to-face encounter since Johnson became prime minister. In a flourish characteristic of Johnson, he complained in particular that Americans can't savour Britain's famed Melton Mowbray pork pies, which he said are sold even in Thailand and Iceland. The pastries "are currently unable to enter the US market because of, I don't know, some sort of Food and Drug Administration restriction," he said, without specifying further. "There are massive opportunities for UK companies to open up, to prise open the American market," he insisted. "We intend to seize those opportunities but they are going to require our American friends to compromise and to open up their approach, because currently there are too many restrictions," he said.

Boris Johnson urges Trump to remove 'considerable barriers' for UK trade

Opponents of Britain`s exit from the EU hoisted a "Boris blimp" portraying the UK`s likely next prime minister as a crying child as they demonstrated outside parliament on Saturday.

Boris Johnson, a former London mayor, has been one of the figureheads of the movement to take Britain out of the EU and has pledged to complete the schism by the end of October.

Inspired by the orange blimp of a baby Donald Trump that mocked the US&nbsp;President during his visit to London last month, the balloon featured Johnson in a t-shirt emblazoned with a red bus and the figure 350 million pounds, referring to his promise of clawing back cash from Brussels to spend on Britain`s state health service instead.
<img alt="Blimp depicting Boris Johnson" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9345f465-4410-4cfb-b663-431239975a08" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/2019-07-20T153858Z_1_LYNXNPEF6J0BE_RTROPTP_4_BRITAIN-EU-MARCH.JPG" /><img alt="Blimp depicting Boris Johnson" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c80a2e48-2b52-4adf-8a79-02c9bf3e5107" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/2019-07-20T153858Z_1_LYNXNPEF6J0BG_RTROPTP_4_BRITAIN-EU-MARCH.JPG" />
Prime Minister Theresa May announced her resignation two months ago after failing to win parliamentary approval for the exit deal she had negotiated with Brussels and her successor will be announced next week.

Johnson, who is widely expected to replace her, has pledged to leave the EU with or without a transition deal on October&nbsp;31.

Brexit without a divorce deal would abruptly wrench the world`s fifth-largest economy away from the bloc. Critics say this would undermine global growth, buffet financial markets and weaken London`s position as the pre-eminent international financial centre.

Opponents of Britain`s exit from the EU hoisted a "Boris blimp" portraying the UK`s likely next prime minister as a crying child as they demonstrated outside parliament on Saturday.

Opponents of Britain`s exit from the EU hoisted a "Boris blimp" portraying the UK`s likely next prime minister as a crying child as they demonstrated outside parliament on Saturday. Boris Johnson, a former London mayor, has been one of the figureheads of the movement to take Britain out of the EU and has pledged to complete the schism by the end of October. Inspired by the orange blimp of a baby Donald Trump that mocked the US President during his visit to London last month, the balloon featured Johnson in a t-shirt emblazoned with a red bus and the figure 350 million pounds, referring to his promise of clawing back cash from Brussels to spend on Britain`s state health service instead. Prime Minister Theresa May announced her resignation two months ago after failing to win parliamentary approval for the exit deal she had negotiated with Brussels and her successor will be announced next week. Johnson, who is widely expected to replace her, has pledged to leave the EU with or without a transition deal on October 31. Brexit without a divorce deal would abruptly wrench the world`s fifth-largest economy away from the bloc. Critics say this would undermine global growth, buffet financial markets and weaken London`s position as the pre-eminent international financial centre.

'Boris blimp' takes to the London skies in pro-EU protest

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - July 18th, 2019

Boris Johnson, the favourite to be the next British Prime Minister, said on Saturday&nbsp;that party members were not interested in why police were called to investigate concerns for the welfare of a woman in his home.

Early on Friday, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/police-called-to-pm-hopeful-boris-johnsons-home-after-row-uk-media-229409">British police were called to Johnson's home</a> after neighbours heard a loud altercation between him and his girlfriend.&nbsp;

Johnson to declined to answer questions about the incident at a hustings event in Birmingham, in central England, saying that party members would rather hear about his plans for Britain than about the incident.

"I don't think (audience members) want to hear about that kind of thing, unless I'm wrong," Johnson said when asked about the incident, to applause from the audience.

"I think what they want to hear is what my plans are for the country and for my party."

Police had been called to an address in south London where Johnson is living with his girlfriend, Carrie Symonds. Johnson is currently divorcing his second wife.

"The caller was concerned for the welfare of a female neighbour," the police said in a statement on Friday evening. "Police attended and spoke to all occupants of the address, who were all safe and well."

"There were no offences or concerns apparent to the officers and there was no cause for police action," the statement said.

Symonds could not be reached for comment.

Despite a series of scandals in the past and criticism about his attention to detail, Brexit supporter Johnson has dominated the race to replace Prime Minister Theresa May.

After a series of ballots to whittle down the race to two candidates, 160,000 Conservative Party members will now chose either Johnson and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt as their next leader - and thus the next prime minister.

At the event in Birmingham, Johnson said that people had a right to ask questions about his character, said that his record in office showed he had the right character to be prime minister.

Johnson, 55, who served as London mayor for eight years, has cast himself as the only candidate who can deliver Brexit on Oct. 31 while fighting off the electoral threats of Nigel Farage's Brexit Party and Jeremy Corbyn's Labour.

 
&nbsp;

Boris Johnson, the favourite to be the next British Prime Minister, said on Saturday that party members were not interested in why police were called to investigate concerns for the welfare of a woman in his home.

Boris Johnson, the favourite to be the next British Prime Minister, said on Saturday that party members were not interested in why police were called to investigate concerns for the welfare of a woman in his home. Early on Friday, British police were called to Johnson's home after neighbours heard a loud altercation between him and his girlfriend. Johnson to declined to answer questions about the incident at a hustings event in Birmingham, in central England, saying that party members would rather hear about his plans for Britain than about the incident. "I don't think (audience members) want to hear about that kind of thing, unless I'm wrong," Johnson said when asked about the incident, to applause from the audience. "I think what they want to hear is what my plans are for the country and for my party." Police had been called to an address in south London where Johnson is living with his girlfriend, Carrie Symonds. Johnson is currently divorcing his second wife. "The caller was concerned for the welfare of a female neighbour," the police said in a statement on Friday evening. "Police attended and spoke to all occupants of the address, who were all safe and well." "There were no offences or concerns apparent to the officers and there was no cause for police action," the statement said. Symonds could not be reached for comment. Despite a series of scandals in the past and criticism about his attention to detail, Brexit supporter Johnson has dominated the race to replace Prime Minister Theresa May. After a series of ballots to whittle down the race to two candidates, 160,000 Conservative Party members will now chose either Johnson and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt as their next leader - and thus the next prime minister. At the event in Birmingham, Johnson said that people had a right to ask questions about his character, said that his record in office showed he had the right character to be prime minister. Johnson, 55, who served as London mayor for eight years, has cast himself as the only candidate who can deliver Brexit on Oct. 31 while fighting off the electoral threats of Nigel Farage's Brexit Party and Jeremy Corbyn's Labour.

UK PM candidate Boris Johnson avoids questions about police visit

British foreign secretary Boris Johnson propensity for political gaffes came to the fore again for talking about favourable alcohol trade deals in a Sikh temple on Wednesday.

Sikhism eschews consumption of liquor, but a seemingly unaware Johnson made a pitch for ending trade tariffs on whisky to boost exports.&nbsp;

His campaign speech on behalf of British Prime Minister Theresa May was immediately shot down by an irate Sikh woman, who chastised him for being ignorant about the religion&#39;s values, according to a BBC reporter.

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She&#39;s absolutely livid. Boris Johnson apologises. &quot;How dare you talk about alcohol in a Sikh temple.&quot;
&mdash; Pete Simson (@SimsonPete) <a href="https://twitter.com/SimsonPete/status/864787658198876160">May 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The former London mayor&#39;s slander didn&#39;t end there as he responded to the woman by claiming to know several Sikhs who consumed alcohol.

While several Sikhs do drink, their religion has always advised shunning of alcohol. Publicly mentioning that some Sikhs do enjoy liquor also angered some religious groups in the United Kingdom.

&#39;Clinkie&#39; clanger

Batting for the Tories, Johnson -- viewed as a maverick and a weak link by some in his own party -- dropped the political clanger during his speech at the Bristol-based Nirman Sewak Jatha to woo the large Sikh community: &quot;What are the consequences of having so many Sikh relatives, and I hope I am not embarrassing anybody, is that whenever we go to India, to Mumbai or to Delhi, we have to bring &#39;clinkie&#39; in our luggage.&nbsp;

&quot;But imagine what we could do if there was a free trade deal with India - which there will be. You are talking hundreds of millions of pounds of new exports and more exports is great for a fantastic export city like Bristol.&quot;

To this, a woman named Balbir Kaur immediately chided the senior politician standing in front of the altar at the gurudwara (a Sikh temple).

&quot;You have just said that the main objective is to get the trade between India and England and the basis of that is alcohol which is in Sikhism against our religion so I wouldn&#39;t be wanting to put somebody in power who wants to put more alcohol in India which is causing lots of problems at the moment.

&quot;I am a practising Sikh and to me that is absolutely outrageous.&quot;

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="573" id="molvideoplayer" scrolling="yes" src="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/embed/video/1466157.html" title="MailOnline Embed Player" width="698"></iframe>

Her anger did not end there.

A BBC recording revealed that when Johnson was asked to talk about inheritance tax, the woman piped in again.

&quot;Inheritance tax is not an issue - alcohol is.

&quot;I&#39;m sorry if I am shouting but it is very important to me.&nbsp;

&quot;It&#39;s not my family circumstances, it&#39;s the whole of Sikhism and you are standing in a Sikh Gurdwara and talking about alcohol - it&#39;s not right.&quot;

Another blunder

Jonson&#39;s blunders kept flowing, this time his team being the guilty party.

Johnson, during the sppech at the gurudwara, did apologise for dredging up the tabooed topic for Sikh followers.

But the apology got lost in the subsequent debris of clarification provided by Johnson&#39;s team.

Daily Mail quoted Johnson&#39;s spokesperson as saying: &quot;He was simply making the point that a free trade deal with, for example, India could be huge for both sides.

&quot;He pointed out that in India billions of litres of whisky are consumed every year but there is tariffs at 120 per cent on imports of Scotch whisky and wouldn&#39;t it be great if we could have free trade.

&quot;One lady expressed her views based on a personal situation but the other 30 attendees warmly welcomed his remarks.&quot;

Sikh outrage

Johnson came under attack by various Sikh groups as well.

Sikh Federation (UK) general secretary&nbsp;Bhai Narinderjit Singh slammed the 52-year-old politician: &quot;No politician in his right mind would speak in a Gurdwara about a trade deal involving alcohol.

&quot;It is a requirement that Sikhs should not consume any intoxicants.&quot;

Sikhism frowns upon consumtpion of alcohol. Sikh gurus (leaders) have always advised their followers -- both baptised and non-baptised -- to abstain from liquor.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/SimsonPete">@SimsonPete</a> Hi Pete. You may wish to share this short video to educate those who think alcohol is not against the Sikh faith<a href="https://t.co/jb2a8jq7GB">https://t.co/jb2a8jq7GB</a>
&mdash; SikhPressAssociation (@SikhPA) <a href="https://twitter.com/SikhPA/status/864860866746953730">May 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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Orange is the new white <a href="https://t.co/lSgFDijsOw">pic.twitter.com/lSgFDijsOw</a>
&mdash; Pete Simson (@SimsonPete) <a href="https://twitter.com/SimsonPete/status/864783446182420480">May 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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(WION)

&nbsp;

 
 
 
 
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Johnson spoke of ending trade tariff with India to boost whisky exports, a statement that riled a Sikh follower who said it was improper to talk about alcohol in their temple

British foreign secretary Boris Johnson propensity for political gaffes came to the fore again for talking about favourable alcohol trade deals in a Sikh temple on Wednesday. Sikhism eschews consumption of liquor, but a seemingly unaware Johnson made a pitch for ending trade tariffs on whisky to boost exports. His campaign speech on behalf of British Prime Minister Theresa May was immediately shot down by an irate Sikh woman, who chastised him for being ignorant about the religion's values, according to a BBC reporter. She's absolutely livid. Boris Johnson apologises. "How dare you talk about alcohol in a Sikh temple." — Pete Simson (@SimsonPete) May 17, 2017 × The former London mayor's slander didn't end there as he responded to the woman by claiming to know several Sikhs who consumed alcohol. While several Sikhs do drink, their religion has always advised shunning of alcohol. Publicly mentioning that some Sikhs do enjoy liquor also angered some religious groups in the United Kingdom. 'Clinkie' clanger Batting for the Tories, Johnson -- viewed as a maverick and a weak link by some in his own party -- dropped the political clanger during his speech at the Bristol-based Nirman Sewak Jatha to woo the large Sikh community: "What are the consequences of having so many Sikh relatives, and I hope I am not embarrassing anybody, is that whenever we go to India, to Mumbai or to Delhi, we have to bring 'clinkie' in our luggage. "But imagine what we could do if there was a free trade deal with India - which there will be. You are talking hundreds of millions of pounds of new exports and more exports is great for a fantastic export city like Bristol." To this, a woman named Balbir Kaur immediately chided the senior politician standing in front of the altar at the gurudwara (a Sikh temple). "You have just said that the main objective is to get the trade between India and England and the basis of that is alcohol which is in Sikhism against our religion so I wouldn't be wanting to put somebody in power who wants to put more alcohol in India which is causing lots of problems at the moment. "I am a practising Sikh and to me that is absolutely outrageous." Her anger did not end there. A BBC recording revealed that when Johnson was asked to talk about inheritance tax, the woman piped in again. "Inheritance tax is not an issue - alcohol is. "I'm sorry if I am shouting but it is very important to me. "It's not my family circumstances, it's the whole of Sikhism and you are standing in a Sikh Gurdwara and talking about alcohol - it's not right." Another blunder Jonson's blunders kept flowing, this time his team being the guilty party. Johnson, during the sppech at the gurudwara, did apologise for dredging up the tabooed topic for Sikh followers. But the apology got lost in the subsequent debris of clarification provided by Johnson's team. Daily Mail quoted Johnson's spokesperson as saying: "He was simply making the point that a free trade deal with, for example, India could be huge for both sides. "He pointed out that in India billions of litres of whisky are consumed every year but there is tariffs at 120 per cent on imports of Scotch whisky and wouldn't it be great if we could have free trade. "One lady expressed her views based on a personal situation but the other 30 attendees warmly welcomed his remarks." Sikh outrage Johnson came under attack by various Sikh groups as well. Sikh Federation (UK) general secretary Bhai Narinderjit Singh slammed the 52-year-old politician: "No politician in his right mind would speak in a Gurdwara about a trade deal involving alcohol. "It is a requirement that Sikhs should not consume any intoxicants." Sikhism frowns upon consumtpion of alcohol. Sikh gurus (leaders) have always advised their followers -- both baptised and non-baptised -- to abstain from liquor. @SimsonPete Hi Pete. You may wish to share this short video to educate those who think alcohol is not against the Sikh faithhttps://t.co/jb2a8jq7GB — SikhPressAssociation (@SikhPA) May 17, 2017 × Orange is the new white pic.twitter.com/lSgFDijsOw — Pete Simson (@SimsonPete) May 17, 2017 × (WION)

Boris Johnson's mention of alcohol in Sikh temple raises hackles

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