Boris Johnson: PM hopeful ‘turned down chance of one-to-one meeting with Trump’

Conservative leadership frontrunner held 'friendly and productive' phone call with president

Boris Johnson has turned down a face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump after the US president called to make a direct offer, it has emerged.

The Conservative leadership frontrunner held a "friendly and productive" phone call with Mr Trump on Tuesday but he declined the chance to meet the president during his three-day state visit to London.

Mr Johnson turned down the opportunity for talks with the president to attend a leadership hustings, where he is seeking to woo an influential caucus of Tory moderates.

A source close to Mr Johnson told The Independent: "Boris thanked him but declined the invitation as he has to focus on the hustings event that was happening at the same time, which the president understood.

"He said he looked forward to catching up at a later date."

It comes after Mr Trump sensationally broke with diplomatic convention in a series of weekend interviews, where he said Mr Johnson would make a "great prime minister".

The president has also sought a meeting with environment secretary Michael Gove, another leadership contender, in a sign the White House is preparing for Ms May's departure from Downing Street next month.

A source in team Gove said: "Mr Gove was asked last night by Mr Trump's team if he would be able to meet the president today. He said yes.

"Nothing has been fixed yet."

A one-to-one meeting could prove embarrassing to the prime minister, whose talks with the president involved senior ministers and officials rather than just the two leaders.

Ahead of the London trip, Mr Trump indicated he might also meet Nigel Farage but the Brexit Party leader has not confirmed whether plans were in place.

The president's apparent support for Mr Johnson comes amid a fraught contest to succeed Ms May as Conservative leader, when she quits at the end of the week.

Brexit minister James Cleverly became the first candidate to withdraw from the race as he said it was "highly unlikely" he would reach the final two contenders.

Mr Johnson is currently leading the 12-strong field with more than 40 MP endorsements but his campaign was dealt a blow when Liam Fox, a senior cabinet Brexiteer, opted to support Jeremy Hunt instead.

Several leadership candidates will make their case to moderate Tory MPs at a hustings in Westminster tonight, organised by cabinet minister Amber Rudd.