British foreign minister David Lammy&nbsp;on Monday (Oct 28) said that calling the Israeli operation in Gaza a genocide "undermines the seriousness" of the term and past genocides.&nbsp;

While addressing the House of Commons, Nick Timothy, a Conservative MP, made the remarks saying, "There is obviously much suffering in Gaza, but this (Genocide) terminology is completely inappropriate."

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David Lammy just stood up in Parliament and denied that Israel is committing a genocide. Apparently using the word to describe Israel’s crimes “undermines the seriousness” of it. 
 
Straight up genocide denial. 
 
The Hague awaits this coward. <a href="https://t.co/Ht0eYjYSfK">pic.twitter.com/Ht0eYjYSfK</a>
— Hamza Yusuf (@Hamza_a96) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hamza_a96/status/1850961180799410379?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2024</a></blockquote>
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He further added that the term is “repeated by the protesters and lawbreakers who are intimidating British Jews, as we saw again this weekend”.

The video of the house showed as Timothy concluded his speech, Lammy stood up and said he agreed with the MP.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-60-killed-in-israeli-strikes-in-east-lebanon-reports-771655">At least 60 killed in Israeli strikes in east, Lebanon reports</a>

"I do agree with the &nbsp;honourable gentleman, those terms were largely used when millions of people lost their lives in crises like Rwanda, the Second World War, and the Holocaust."&nbsp;

"The way they (the term Genocide) are now used undermines the seriousness of that term."&nbsp;

Lammy's statement sparked outrage on social media as people on X corrected the minister saying Genocide has nothing to do with the number of deaths. Rather, "it’s the intent plus the acts of the perpetrator that matter."

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Foreign Secretary David Lammy is wrong when he implies that the legal definition of genocide is dependent on how many people from an ethnic group are killed. Numbers are irrelevant - it’s the intent plus the acts of the perpetrator that matter. See:Art II, UN Genocide Convention <a href="https://t.co/T3KYb0pHlg">pic.twitter.com/T3KYb0pHlg</a>
— Sangita Myska (@SangitaMyska) <a href="https://twitter.com/SangitaMyska/status/1851005189827756476?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Many&nbsp;X users shared the UN Genocide convention to support their statement and said the human rights experts at the UN say that what is happening in Gaza "IS a genocide."

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🚨 BREAKING: Foreign Secretary David Lammy says using "genocide" to describe what is happening in Gaza "undermines" the seriousness of that term. 
Meanwhile, human rights experts at the UN say that this IS a genocide. 
 
David, who are you trying to protect?<a href="https://t.co/KxBBmAHOku">pic.twitter.com/KxBBmAHOku</a>
— joe brindle 🇵🇸 (@JoeBrindle_) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBrindle_/status/1850953646806032775?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Calling his statement outrageous, an X user blamed Lammy for ignoring the law and rules despite him being a lawyer himself.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/west-asia-crisis-hezbollah-names-naim-qassem-as-successor-to-late-hassan-nasrallah-771637">West Asia crisis: Hezbollah names Naim Qassem as successor to late Hassan Nasrallah</a>

"Genocide is defined not by numbers but intent. As a lawyer, Lammy knows that. He is denying the seriousness of Israel's intent and actions," the user said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

British foreign minister David Lammy on Monday (Oct 28) said that calling the Israeli operation in Gaza a genocide "undermines the seriousness" of the term and past genocides.

British foreign minister David Lammy on Monday (Oct 28) said that calling the Israeli operation in Gaza a genocide "undermines the seriousness" of the term and past genocides. While addressing the House of Commons, Nick Timothy, a Conservative MP, made the remarks saying, "There is obviously much suffering in Gaza, but this (Genocide) terminology is completely inappropriate." David Lammy just stood up in Parliament and denied that Israel is committing a genocide. Apparently using the word to describe Israel’s crimes “undermines the seriousness” of it. Straight up genocide denial. The Hague awaits this coward. pic.twitter.com/Ht0eYjYSfK — Hamza Yusuf (@Hamza_a96) October 28, 2024 × He further added that the term is “repeated by the protesters and lawbreakers who are intimidating British Jews, as we saw again this weekend”. The video of the house showed as Timothy concluded his speech, Lammy stood up and said he agreed with the MP. Also read | At least 60 killed in Israeli strikes in east, Lebanon reports "I do agree with the honourable gentleman, those terms were largely used when millions of people lost their lives in crises like Rwanda, the Second World War, and the Holocaust." "The way they (the term Genocide) are now used undermines the seriousness of that term." Lammy's statement sparked outrage on social media as people on X corrected the minister saying Genocide has nothing to do with the number of deaths. Rather, "it’s the intent plus the acts of the perpetrator that matter." Foreign Secretary David Lammy is wrong when he implies that the legal definition of genocide is dependent on how many people from an ethnic group are killed. Numbers are irrelevant - it’s the intent plus the acts of the perpetrator that matter. See:Art II, UN Genocide Convention pic.twitter.com/T3KYb0pHlg — Sangita Myska (@SangitaMyska) October 28, 2024 × Many X users shared the UN Genocide convention to support their statement and said the human rights experts at the UN say that what is happening in Gaza "IS a genocide." 🚨 BREAKING: Foreign Secretary David Lammy says using "genocide" to describe what is happening in Gaza "undermines" the seriousness of that term. Meanwhile, human rights experts at the UN say that this IS a genocide. David, who are you trying to protect?pic.twitter.com/KxBBmAHOku — joe brindle 🇵🇸 (@JoeBrindle_) October 28, 2024 × Calling his statement outrageous, an X user blamed Lammy for ignoring the law and rules despite him being a lawyer himself. Also read | West Asia crisis: Hezbollah names Naim Qassem as successor to late Hassan Nasrallah "Genocide is defined not by numbers but intent. As a lawyer, Lammy knows that. He is denying the seriousness of Israel's intent and actions," the user said. (With inputs from agencies)

'Calling Israel's war in Gaza genocide undermines the word': UK foreign minister

UK Foreign Minister Elizabeth Truss on Saturday said her country and India believed in freedom and democracy and can make the world safer and prosperous.

She was speaking here at a reception held on HMS Defender where industrialists from the UK and India met.

 
Countries like the UK and India believe in freedom and democracy and can make the world safer and prosperous.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/need-to-ensure-afghan-territory-is-not-used-to-attack-any-country-say-jaishankar-uk-counterpart-423172">Need to ensure Afghan territory is not used to attack any country, say Jaishankar, UK counterpart</a>

That is the mission of UK and India too," she said, adding that the two countries were working on a new trade deal in the areas of economy, defence, trade and climate.

India is the second largest investor in the UK and I want to see more UK investment in India. The UK has the third highest number of unicorns while India has the third highest number of start ups. If we bring our resources and assets together, we can do much more. I met the Indian finance minister and foreign minister and talked about how to deepen our partnership in areas like technology,&nbsp;she said.

The UK-India economic relationship is already strong with bilateral trade of over 18bn in 2020, supporting nearly half a million jobs in each other's economies, an official from the media department of the British High Commissioner said.

The official said the prime ministers of the two nations have set a target to double the value of UK-India trade by 2030, and have also declared their shared intent to begin negotiations on a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) by the end of this year.

UK Foreign Minister Elizabeth Truss on Saturday said her country and India believed in freedom and democracy and can make the world safer and prosperous. She was speaking here at a reception held on HMS Defender where industrialists from the UK and India met.

UK Foreign Minister Elizabeth Truss on Saturday said her country and India believed in freedom and democracy and can make the world safer and prosperous. She was speaking here at a reception held on HMS Defender where industrialists from the UK and India met. Countries like the UK and India believe in freedom and democracy and can make the world safer and prosperous. Also Read | Need to ensure Afghan territory is not used to attack any country, say Jaishankar, UK counterpart That is the mission of UK and India too," she said, adding that the two countries were working on a new trade deal in the areas of economy, defence, trade and climate. India is the second largest investor in the UK and I want to see more UK investment in India. The UK has the third highest number of unicorns while India has the third highest number of start ups. If we bring our resources and assets together, we can do much more. I met the Indian finance minister and foreign minister and talked about how to deepen our partnership in areas like technology, she said. The UK-India economic relationship is already strong with bilateral trade of over 18bn in 2020, supporting nearly half a million jobs in each other's economies, an official from the media department of the British High Commissioner said. The official said the prime ministers of the two nations have set a target to double the value of UK-India trade by 2030, and have also declared their shared intent to begin negotiations on a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) by the end of this year.

India, UK democracies can make world safer, prosperous: British foreign minister

A bodyguard to British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has been "removed from operational duties" after leaving his gun on a plane back from the United States, reports and police said Saturday.

The Sun newspaper said the loaded, semi-automatic pistol was found in its holster on a seat by a cleaner after the plane landed at London's Heathrow Airport early on Friday morning.

Raab was in Washington this week for talks with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Democratic House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

A spokesman for London's Metropolitan Police said: "We are aware of the incident on a flight into the UK on Friday, September 18, and we are taking this matter extremely seriously.

"The officer involved has since been removed from operational duties whilst an internal investigation into the circumstances is taking place."

There was no immediate response from the foreign ministry.

A bodyguard to British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has been "removed from operational duties" after leaving his gun on a plane back from the United States, reports and police said Saturday.

A bodyguard to British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has been "removed from operational duties" after leaving his gun on a plane back from the United States, reports and police said Saturday. The Sun newspaper said the loaded, semi-automatic pistol was found in its holster on a seat by a cleaner after the plane landed at London's Heathrow Airport early on Friday morning. Raab was in Washington this week for talks with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Democratic House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi. A spokesman for London's Metropolitan Police said: "We are aware of the incident on a flight into the UK on Friday, September 18, and we are taking this matter extremely seriously. "The officer involved has since been removed from operational duties whilst an internal investigation into the circumstances is taking place." There was no immediate response from the foreign ministry.

Bodyguard to UK foreign minister 'left gun on plane'

British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt on Thursday called for justice on the Rohingya crisis after his visit to Myanmar's Rakhine state, telling embattled leader Aung San Suu Kyi the world "won't let it rest".&nbsp;

Hunt's rallying cry for accountability comes at the end of a busy two-day visit during which he visited Rakhine -- the epicentre of a brutal military campaign that drove out more than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims -- and met with Suu Kyi.

"Burma needs to know the international community won't let it rest," said Hunt using Myanmar's former name.&nbsp;

Myanmar has set up an "independent" commission to address the army's crackdown against the Rohingya, rejecting the UN probe and calls for the International Criminal Court to investigate.&nbsp;

"If we don't see that process happening, we will use all the tools at our disposal to make sure there is justice... the world is watching," Hunt said after the meeting, which he said was "lively" and "frank".&nbsp;

The British foreign minister's visit came the same week UN investigators released a damning and meticulous report detailing why six Myanmar generals should be prosecuted for genocide against the Rohingya Muslim minority.

The Rohingya fled to neighbouring Bangladesh, where they joined about 300,000 already in cramped refugee camps, carrying accounts of extrajudicial killings, extreme sexual violence and arson.&nbsp;

The evidence warrants the charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, UN investigators said.

Hunt also brought up with Suu Kyi his "concerns" on the jailing of two Reuters journalists, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who were sentenced earlier this month to seven years each under the state secrets act.&nbsp;

The pair had uncovered the extrajudicial killings of 10 Rohingya men in the Rakhine village of Inn Din -- something the army has since acknowledged.&nbsp;

Suu Kyi, who endured a total of 15 years of house arrest under the previous junta-led regime, said last week Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo's sentencing upheld the rule of law.

"She said she would look into it," Hunt said Thursday.

- Tightly-managed tour - 
Before the meeting, the foreign minister was led on a three-hour, tightly-managed tour of Rakhine via helicopter, which included the Taung Pyo Letwe returnee reception centre, opened to receive the refugees even though virtually no Rohingya have come back.&nbsp;

Bangladesh and Myanmar signed an agreement last year to repatriate the Muslim minority but it has stalled as they fear returning to Rakhine without their safety and rights guaranteed.

In each of the three other locations Hunt was shepherded to, he found a pre-selected group of locals waiting to speak to him. At Pan Taw Pyin village, the final stop, he walked off to try to speak with nearby residents about their experiences despite the heavy security presence.&nbsp;

The military has consistently denied nearly all wrongdoing, insisting that its campaign was justified to root out militants, and Myanmar's ambassador to the UN on Tuesday slammed the UN probe as "one-sided" and "flawed".

Suu Kyi, a former pro-democracy icon, has seen a sharp fall from grace internationally due to her failure to address the Rohingya crisis.&nbsp;

Her supporters say her hands are tied by a still powerful military, which controls a quarter of parliament's seats and three ministries.&nbsp;

UN investigators say her government's "acts and omissions" contributed to the "atrocity crimes" in the crisis.

Hunt will head to New York next week for the UN General Assembly, where he will chair a foreign ministers' meeting Monday on Myanmar.

Suu Kyi will not be travelling to New York for the UN top meeting.&nbsp;

British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt on Thursday called for justice on the Rohingya crisis after his visit to Myanmar's Rakhine state, telling embattled leader Aung San Suu Kyi the world "won't let it rest".

British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt on Thursday called for justice on the Rohingya crisis after his visit to Myanmar's Rakhine state, telling embattled leader Aung San Suu Kyi the world "won't let it rest". Hunt's rallying cry for accountability comes at the end of a busy two-day visit during which he visited Rakhine -- the epicentre of a brutal military campaign that drove out more than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims -- and met with Suu Kyi. "Burma needs to know the international community won't let it rest," said Hunt using Myanmar's former name. Myanmar has set up an "independent" commission to address the army's crackdown against the Rohingya, rejecting the UN probe and calls for the International Criminal Court to investigate. "If we don't see that process happening, we will use all the tools at our disposal to make sure there is justice... the world is watching," Hunt said after the meeting, which he said was "lively" and "frank". The British foreign minister's visit came the same week UN investigators released a damning and meticulous report detailing why six Myanmar generals should be prosecuted for genocide against the Rohingya Muslim minority. The Rohingya fled to neighbouring Bangladesh, where they joined about 300,000 already in cramped refugee camps, carrying accounts of extrajudicial killings, extreme sexual violence and arson. The evidence warrants the charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, UN investigators said. Hunt also brought up with Suu Kyi his "concerns" on the jailing of two Reuters journalists, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who were sentenced earlier this month to seven years each under the state secrets act. The pair had uncovered the extrajudicial killings of 10 Rohingya men in the Rakhine village of Inn Din -- something the army has since acknowledged. Suu Kyi, who endured a total of 15 years of house arrest under the previous junta-led regime, said last week Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo's sentencing upheld the rule of law. "She said she would look into it," Hunt said Thursday. - Tightly-managed tour - Before the meeting, the foreign minister was led on a three-hour, tightly-managed tour of Rakhine via helicopter, which included the Taung Pyo Letwe returnee reception centre, opened to receive the refugees even though virtually no Rohingya have come back. Bangladesh and Myanmar signed an agreement last year to repatriate the Muslim minority but it has stalled as they fear returning to Rakhine without their safety and rights guaranteed. In each of the three other locations Hunt was shepherded to, he found a pre-selected group of locals waiting to speak to him. At Pan Taw Pyin village, the final stop, he walked off to try to speak with nearby residents about their experiences despite the heavy security presence. The military has consistently denied nearly all wrongdoing, insisting that its campaign was justified to root out militants, and Myanmar's ambassador to the UN on Tuesday slammed the UN probe as "one-sided" and "flawed". Suu Kyi, a former pro-democracy icon, has seen a sharp fall from grace internationally due to her failure to address the Rohingya crisis. Her supporters say her hands are tied by a still powerful military, which controls a quarter of parliament's seats and three ministries. UN investigators say her government's "acts and omissions" contributed to the "atrocity crimes" in the crisis. Hunt will head to New York next week for the UN General Assembly, where he will chair a foreign ministers' meeting Monday on Myanmar. Suu Kyi will not be travelling to New York for the UN top meeting.

World 'won't rest' on Rohingya crisis, UK Foreign Minister tells Suu Kyi

British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt on Thursday called for justice on the Rohingya crisis after his visit to Myanmar's Rakhine state, telling embattled leader Aung San Suu Kyi the world "won't let it rest".&nbsp;

Hunt's rallying cry for accountability comes at the end of a busy two-day visit during which he visited Rakhine -- the epicentre of a brutal military campaign that drove out more than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims -- and met with Suu Kyi.

"Burma needs to know the international community won't let it rest," said Hunt using Myanmar's former name.&nbsp;

Myanmar has set up an "independent" commission to address the army's crackdown against the Rohingya, rejecting the UN probe and calls for the International Criminal Court to investigate.&nbsp;

"If we don't see that process happening, we will use all the tools at our disposal to make sure there is justice... the world is watching," Hunt said after the meeting, which he said was "lively" and "frank".&nbsp;

The British foreign minister's visit came the same week UN investigators released a damning and meticulous report detailing why six Myanmar generals should be prosecuted for genocide against the Rohingya Muslim minority.

The Rohingya fled to neighbouring Bangladesh, where they joined about 300,000 already in cramped refugee camps, carrying accounts of extrajudicial killings, extreme sexual violence and arson.&nbsp;

The evidence warrants the charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, UN investigators said.

Hunt also brought up with Suu Kyi his "concerns" on the jailing of two Reuters journalists, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who were sentenced earlier this month to seven years each under the state secrets act.&nbsp;

The pair had uncovered the extrajudicial killings of 10 Rohingya men in the Rakhine village of Inn Din -- something the army has since acknowledged.&nbsp;

Suu Kyi, who endured a total of 15 years of house arrest under the previous junta-led regime, said last week Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo's sentencing upheld the rule of law.

"She said she would look into it," Hunt said Thursday.

Tightly-managed tour 
Before the meeting, the foreign minister was led on a three-hour, tightly-managed tour of Rakhine via helicopter, which included the Taung Pyo Letwe returnee reception centre, opened to receive the refugees even though virtually no Rohingya have come back.&nbsp;

Bangladesh and Myanmar signed an agreement last year to repatriate the Muslim minority but it has stalled as they fear returning to Rakhine without their safety and rights guaranteed.

In each of the three other locations Hunt was shepherded to, he found a pre-selected group of locals waiting to speak to him. At Pan Taw Pyin village, the final stop, he walked off to try to speak with nearby residents about their experiences despite the heavy security presence.&nbsp;

The military has consistently denied nearly all wrongdoing, insisting that its campaign was justified to root out militants, and Myanmar's ambassador to the UN on Tuesday slammed the UN probe as "one-sided" and "flawed".

Suu Kyi, a former pro-democracy icon, has seen a sharp fall from grace internationally due to her failure to address the Rohingya crisis.&nbsp;

Her supporters say her hands are tied by a still powerful military, which controls a quarter of parliament's seats and three ministries.&nbsp;

UN investigators say her government's "acts and omissions" contributed to the "atrocity crimes" in the crisis.

Hunt will head to New York next week for the UN General Assembly, where he will chair a foreign ministers' meeting Monday on Myanmar.

Suu Kyi will not be travelling to New York for the UN top meeting.&nbsp;

British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt on Thursday called for justice on the Rohingya crisis after his visit to Myanmar's Rakhine state, telling embattled leader Aung San Suu Kyi the world "won't let it rest". Hunt's rallying cry for accountability comes at the end of a busy two-day visit during which he visited Rakhine -- the epicentre of a brutal military campaign that drove out more than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims -- and met with Suu Kyi. "Burma needs to know the international community won't let it rest," said Hunt using Myanmar's former name. Myanmar has set up an "independent" commission to address the army's crackdown against the Rohingya, rejecting the UN probe and calls for the International Criminal Court to investigate. "If we don't see that process happening, we will use all the tools at our disposal to make sure there is justice... the world is watching," Hunt said after the meeting, which he said was "lively" and "frank". The British foreign minister's visit came the same week UN investigators released a damning and meticulous report detailing why six Myanmar generals should be prosecuted for genocide against the Rohingya Muslim minority. The Rohingya fled to neighbouring Bangladesh, where they joined about 300,000 already in cramped refugee camps, carrying accounts of extrajudicial killings, extreme sexual violence and arson. The evidence warrants the charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, UN investigators said. Hunt also brought up with Suu Kyi his "concerns" on the jailing of two Reuters journalists, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who were sentenced earlier this month to seven years each under the state secrets act. The pair had uncovered the extrajudicial killings of 10 Rohingya men in the Rakhine village of Inn Din -- something the army has since acknowledged. Suu Kyi, who endured a total of 15 years of house arrest under the previous junta-led regime, said last week Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo's sentencing upheld the rule of law. "She said she would look into it," Hunt said Thursday. Tightly-managed tour Before the meeting, the foreign minister was led on a three-hour, tightly-managed tour of Rakhine via helicopter, which included the Taung Pyo Letwe returnee reception centre, opened to receive the refugees even though virtually no Rohingya have come back. Bangladesh and Myanmar signed an agreement last year to repatriate the Muslim minority but it has stalled as they fear returning to Rakhine without their safety and rights guaranteed. In each of the three other locations Hunt was shepherded to, he found a pre-selected group of locals waiting to speak to him. At Pan Taw Pyin village, the final stop, he walked off to try to speak with nearby residents about their experiences despite the heavy security presence. The military has consistently denied nearly all wrongdoing, insisting that its campaign was justified to root out militants, and Myanmar's ambassador to the UN on Tuesday slammed the UN probe as "one-sided" and "flawed". Suu Kyi, a former pro-democracy icon, has seen a sharp fall from grace internationally due to her failure to address the Rohingya crisis. Her supporters say her hands are tied by a still powerful military, which controls a quarter of parliament's seats and three ministries. UN investigators say her government's "acts and omissions" contributed to the "atrocity crimes" in the crisis. Hunt will head to New York next week for the UN General Assembly, where he will chair a foreign ministers' meeting Monday on Myanmar. Suu Kyi will not be travelling to New York for the UN top meeting.

Britain&#39;s foreign minister Boris Johnson warned French President Francois Hollande against World War II-style &quot;punishment beatings&quot; for Brexit.

Hollande has said it would not accept improved conditions for the UK when it leaves the single market.

Johnson said that penalising Britain for leaving the EU would benefit no one and compared the approach to punishment given to escaped prisoners in war movies.

&quot;I think that if Monsieur Hollande wants to administer punishment beatings to anybody who chooses to escape, rather in manner of some sort of World War II movie, than I don&rsquo;t think that is the way forward,&quot; the former journalist told delegates at a political conference in New Delhi, reported AFP.

&quot;I think it&#39;s actually not in the interest of our friends and our partners.&quot;

Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday said Britain will leave the EU&#39;s single market after leaving the European Union in order to restrict immigration in a clean break from the politico-economic union.

Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called the minister&#39;s comments &quot;wild and inappropriate&quot;.

May&#39;s spokeswoman defended Johnson&#39;s statement saying it was a &quot;theatrical comparison&quot;.

&quot;He was making a point. He was in no way suggesting that anyone was a Nazi,&quot; she said.

Johnson&#39;s brother told BBC radio that Boris used &quot;colourful language&quot; to make a powerful point.

&quot;He was making a powerful point that we want a rational deal. He was using colourful language to get across an important point,&quot; Jo Johnson said.

May said Britain wanted a news customs deal with the EU that would focus on giving Britain &quot;the greatest possible access&quot; to the market on its departure.

On Wednesday, Johnson said Britain&#39;s decision to exit the single market did not mean it wanted to stop having access to EU countries, reported AFP.

&quot;We should be working together. It seems absolutely incredible to me that in the 21st century, the European Union... should be seriously contemplating the introduction of tariffs or whatever to administer punishment to (the) UK,&quot; he said.

&quot;And don&rsquo;t forget, these things cut both ways. After all, the Germans, as is well known, export one-fifth of their motor manufacturing output.&quot;

(With inputs from AFP)

Boris Johnson asserted that Britain should not be penalised for exiting the European Union

Britain's foreign minister Boris Johnson warned French President Francois Hollande against World War II-style "punishment beatings" for Brexit. Hollande has said it would not accept improved conditions for the UK when it leaves the single market. Johnson said that penalising Britain for leaving the EU would benefit no one and compared the approach to punishment given to escaped prisoners in war movies. "I think that if Monsieur Hollande wants to administer punishment beatings to anybody who chooses to escape, rather in manner of some sort of World War II movie, than I don’t think that is the way forward," the former journalist told delegates at a political conference in New Delhi, reported AFP. "I think it's actually not in the interest of our friends and our partners." Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday said Britain will leave the EU's single market after leaving the European Union in order to restrict immigration in a clean break from the politico-economic union. Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called the minister's comments "wild and inappropriate". May's spokeswoman defended Johnson's statement saying it was a "theatrical comparison". "He was making a point. He was in no way suggesting that anyone was a Nazi," she said. Johnson's brother told BBC radio that Boris used "colourful language" to make a powerful point. "He was making a powerful point that we want a rational deal. He was using colourful language to get across an important point," Jo Johnson said. May said Britain wanted a news customs deal with the EU that would focus on giving Britain "the greatest possible access" to the market on its departure. On Wednesday, Johnson said Britain's decision to exit the single market did not mean it wanted to stop having access to EU countries, reported AFP. "We should be working together. It seems absolutely incredible to me that in the 21st century, the European Union... should be seriously contemplating the introduction of tariffs or whatever to administer punishment to (the) UK," he said. "And don’t forget, these things cut both ways. After all, the Germans, as is well known, export one-fifth of their motor manufacturing output." (With inputs from AFP)