West MP calls for new role for Boris

THE Government should seek Boris Johnson’s “advice and expertise” if the UK wants to continue an “excellent” relationship with Ukraine, a Westcountry Conservative MP has suggested.

Sheryll Murray, MP for South East Cornwall, praised the former Prime Minister for building up a “fantastic relationship” with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

Speaking during Foreign Office questions in the Commons, the Tory MP also asked ministers if Mr Johnson’s “advice and expertise” had been sought.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan, who served as international trade secretary under Mr Johnson, paid tribute to him for leading “the world” in “our collective determination to ensure that Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine will fall”.

While the Foreign Office minister did not confirm the Government had sought the ex-prime minister’s advice, she said she has confidence his commitment to the Ukrainians “will continue”.

Ms Murray said: “The right honourable member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Mr Johnson) has built up a fantastic relationship with the Ukrainian president, and I thank him for his lead.

“Has his advice and expertise been sought as we want to continue this excellent relationship into the future?”

Foreign Office minister AnneMarie Trevelyan said: “The work led by the Ministry of Defence to provide defensive weapons for the Ukrainian army, the sanctions work led by my team FCDO are all part of the legacy he [Mr Johnson] leaves.”