Moment Boris Johnson poked in the face in Brussels

Mark Chandler6 February 2017
WEST END FINAL

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This is the awkward moment Boris Johnson was poked in the face by an eager reporter’s huge red microphone as he arrived for a European Union summit.

The Brexit-backing Foreign Secretary at first pretended not to notice as the desperate journalist’s mic crashed into his face.

He then appeared to be holding back laughter as he blustered to the press pack: "Thank you for moving your... I don't want to accidentally bite one of your things."

Mr Johnson used his visit to the Brussels foreign affairs council to reiterate the case for sanctions against Russia.

Awkward encounter: Boris Johnson
PA

It came amid a flare-up of violence in Ukraine between government troops and Russia-backed separatist rebels.

He told reporters: "We'll be talking about Ukraine as well, talking about the recent upsurge in violence. Everybody is very concerned about that.

"The causes, as you know, aren't quite clear. There's a bit of murkiness about who initiated that.

"But the UK will be insisting there is no case for relaxation of the sanctions and every case for keeping up the pressure on Russia."

Additional reporting by the Press Association.

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