+UPDATE+
Stanley Johnson - the Prime Minister’s father - has had multiple discussions with Chinese state officials on behalf of his son incl. at Chinese embassy at ambassador level & above.
UK officials increasingly concerned Boris is running an “off-books” diplomatic policy.
Stanley Johnson - the Prime Minister’s father - has had multiple discussions with Chinese state officials on behalf of his son incl. at Chinese embassy at ambassador level & above.
UK officials increasingly concerned Boris is running an “off-books” diplomatic policy.
2/
This “off-books” diplomacy with the Chinese government via the Johnson family goes back “over a year”.
This “off-books” diplomacy with the Chinese government via the Johnson family goes back “over a year”.
3/
While some media comment has leaked out over the last year or so - most of the reporting - via FT or Guardian for example - has been careful or alternatively played on Stanley’s humorous image.
In fact this action is strictly prohibited precisely because of risks it entails.
While some media comment has leaked out over the last year or so - most of the reporting - via FT or Guardian for example - has been careful or alternatively played on Stanley’s humorous image.
In fact this action is strictly prohibited precisely because of risks it entails.
4/
Officials at the FCO are now increasingly nervous that the Johnson family actions do “not fit the patten expected” by allies since the new US administration came in last month.
Officials at the FCO are now increasingly nervous that the Johnson family actions do “not fit the patten expected” by allies since the new US administration came in last month.
5/
I’ve been watching this story seep out in various corners for quite a while.
For those who haven’t - the media have been tip-toeing around it for sometime now.
ft.com/content/93596a…
I’ve been watching this story seep out in various corners for quite a while.
For those who haven’t - the media have been tip-toeing around it for sometime now.
ft.com/content/93596a…
6/
Officials at FCO believe this a pattern of behaviour by Boris who prioritises “personal contact” incl. via his family to official channels when dealing with foreign govts.
While FCO less concerned when with allies there is disquiet when undertaken with less friendly regimes.
Officials at FCO believe this a pattern of behaviour by Boris who prioritises “personal contact” incl. via his family to official channels when dealing with foreign govts.
While FCO less concerned when with allies there is disquiet when undertaken with less friendly regimes.
7/
Also further “disquiet” at FCO that “Boris doesn’t get” that while Trump may actually have favoured Johnson’s “off-books” approach to diplomacy the new US administration won’t.
Also further “disquiet” at FCO that “Boris doesn’t get” that while Trump may actually have favoured Johnson’s “off-books” approach to diplomacy the new US administration won’t.
8/
For those that ask ruling out “off-books” diplomacy doesn’t mean no “discreet back channels” which can be useful - it means where all Intel & govt agencies completely unaware what is happening.
For those that ask ruling out “off-books” diplomacy doesn’t mean no “discreet back channels” which can be useful - it means where all Intel & govt agencies completely unaware what is happening.
9/
Some of the info coming out about China - & let’s be clear this is no scoop there’s a lot of briefing going on - represents I suspect a FCO turf war btwn those who want a return to a more “measured” traditional foreign policy & those that rose in the wave of Johnson-Trumpism.
Some of the info coming out about China - & let’s be clear this is no scoop there’s a lot of briefing going on - represents I suspect a FCO turf war btwn those who want a return to a more “measured” traditional foreign policy & those that rose in the wave of Johnson-Trumpism.
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