Johnson tells Pence: No deal on NHS – or chlorinated chicken
Boris Johnson has told the US Vice President that the NHS will not be “on the table” during post-Brexit trade talks.
Speaking as he welcomed Mike Pence to Downing Street today, the Prime Minister told journalists: “The National Health Service is not on the table as far as negotiations go.”
He also joked: We’re not too keen on your chlorinated chicken – we have a gigantic chlorinated chicken of our own here on the opposition benches” – a reference to his quip against Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn during yesterday’s PMQs.
Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump said he wanted the NHS to be included in trade talks but back-tracked after provoking a storm of criticism from within the UK. Then-PM Theresa May insisted the NHS would be off limits.
“The United States supports the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union,” Pence said today.
He estimated a US-UK deal could increase trade three or four-fold. “We’re anxious to do that,” he said. “We’re anxious to stand with you and to do everything in our power to strengthen what has been a historic and special relationship.”
Main image: Getty