White House points finger at PM for Oval Office chaos

THE White House last night appeared to blame Boris Johnson for chaotic scenes at his meeting with Joe Biden in the Oval Office.

American journalists lodged a formal complaint with the White House after Mr Johnson took questions from British reporters, some addressed to and answered by the US President.

When US journalists then tried to ask questions the entire group of reporters was ushered out by communications team aides known as “wranglers”.

Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, was asked why US reporters had not been allowed to ask questions of the President when British journalists had.

She blamed Mr Johnson for not informing her team in advance that he intended to take questions.

Ms Psaki said: “I think our relationship with the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Johnson is so strong and abiding we will be able to move forward beyond this.

“But he [Mr Johnson] called on individuals from his press corps without alerting us to that intention in advance.”

Ms Psaki smiled as she made the comments. It was unclear whether they amounted to a joke, or a minor rebuke of Mr Johnson, or both.

She added: “I think the President has not spent a minute worrying about it.”

The journalists were ushered out as Mr Johnson was still speaking about the Good Friday Agreement.

“On that point, Joe, we are completely at one. And I think nobody

‘He [Mr Johnson] called on individuals from his press corps without alerting us to that intention in advance’

wants to see anything that interrupts or unbalances the Belfast Good Friday…” Mr Johnson said before “wranglers” shouted over him, preventing Mr Biden’s response from being audible.

Later, analysis of a tape recording suggested Mr Biden had said “Violence is not justified …” before tailing off as aides yelled “Thank you” and “Let’s go”.

The White House Correspondents’ Association, which represents journalists in their dealings with the administration, lodged a formal complaint with Ms Psaki over the incident.