Mute point for Boris and Merkel at G7
BORIS Johnson had to ask German leader Angela Merkel to put herself on mute after she inadvertently interrupted his remarks to a virtual meeting of G7 leaders.
As with many video conferences, the Prime Minister’s address from 10 Downing Street did not get off to a smooth start.
While French president Emmanuel Macron was around 15 seconds late, the German chancellor could be heard in the background of the Prime Minister’s opening remarks.
“Can you hear us, Angela?” Mr Johnson asked, before adding: “I think you need to mute.” Mr Johnson kicked off the meeting by waving at those on screen, saying it was “great to see all of you”.
Later, Mr Johnson urged the G7 leaders to work together on “building back better” from the pandemic.
He said it was a slogan that US president Joe Biden has used, adding: “I think he may have nicked it from us but I certainly nicked it from somewhere else – probably some UN disaster relief programme.” Mr Biden could be seen laughing on the video call on the screen inside the Cabinet Room.
The Prime Minister also expressed his hope that the G7 leaders would be able to meet “face to face” for June’s summit in Cornwall.
World leaders met virtually again later for the Munich Security Conference.
Mr Johnson said: “The starting point of our review of foreign, defence and development policy, which will be published next month, is that the success of global Britain depends on the security of our homeland and the stability of the Euro-Atlantic area.”