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UK FOREIGN SECRETARY Boris Johnson discussed dealing with Moscow in an 18-minute phone call with Russian pranksters impersonating the prime minister of Armenia in a recording posted online today.
The recording has been confirmed by the UK foreign ministry as genuine.
During the hoax, which purportedly occurred last week, Johnson congratulates the caller – whom he thinks is new Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan – before promptly turning to Britain’s frayed relations with Russia.
“We have to stand firm against them though I appreciate that your geography dictates a balancing act,” Johnson said, offering “support and encouragement” and an invitation to visit the UK.
“It’s very important, I think, prime minister that we don’t have a new Cold War,” he added on the call, advising “determination and firmness” in dealing with Moscow.
“We will continue to tighten the squeeze on some of the oligarchs who surround Putin,” he said, adding Britain would seek new sanctions against key figures around the Russian president.
When the Pashinyan imitator noted that there were a lot of Russian oligarchs in Britain, Johnson agreed:
You throw a stone in Kensington and you’ll hit an oligarch.
He added:
But some of them are close to Putin and some of them aren’t.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said staff “checked it out and knew immediately it was a prank call”.
“The Foreign Secretary realised it was a hoax, and ended the call,” it added in a statement.
In the audio recording posted on YouTube, Johnson appeared to hang up following 18 minutes of conversation, after growing suspicious of the caller’s claims Putin was funding British opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn.
The hoax appears to have been staged by Vladimir “Vovan” Kuznetsov and Alexei “Lexus” Stolyarov, a pair of pranksters known as “Vovan and Lexus”.
The duo have made a habit of fooling politicians and pop stars into fake phone calls, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, US Senator John McCain and Elton John.
Their antics have mostly targeted Russia’s foes, leading to accusations they are working on the orders of the Kremlin or the nation’s security service, the FSB, which they both have denied.
During the latest call, Johnson is questioned about the poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the English city of Salisbury in March.
Asked about British confidence in their assessment that Putin was behind the assassination attempt, Johnson said:
“We’re, like, almost 100 percent sure.
The Foreign Office spokesperson said:
“The use of chemical weapons in Salisbury and Syria, and recent events in Armenia are serious matters.
These childish actions show the lack of seriousness of the caller and those behind him.
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Cancer doesn’t care it you are
Black or white,
Rich or poor,
Or young or old….
Best of luck to you and all others who are fighting the big fight…
Well said
Are you head of his supporter’s club paddy :-)
Hugh why were my comments removed?
At end of the day your health is most important. Good luck to him in his fight
The manner in which Brian Lenihan and his family were treated by TV3 was nothing short of disgraceful. I would hate to think that the same was about to happen to Michael Noonan at the hands of a tabloid newspaper.
Hugh, some would say that the manner in which Brian Lenihan treated the Irish public was nothing short of disgraceful. I doubt that those who have had their medical cards removed from their sick children, as an indirect result of Lenihan’s capitulation to Europe would shed too many tears over a newspaper article.
Im actually shocked at this comment. These people are psychopaths that treat the electorate with disregard to put it nicely. I actually can’t believe you are trying to protect them. Open your eyes
Leave his private medical life to himself ffs.
People have to disclose their private lives to get the treatment they bee to stay alive. Maybe he can now empathise with the MS sufferers and how they have taken their medication off the free medical scheme.
There are others facing the reality of cancer every day and trying to come to terms with it.
I’m willing to bet noonan wasn’t left on a trolly or had to face huge waiting lists for treatment.
I empathize with him but he will be well looked after.
Cancer will effect one in three of us in some way.
What business is it of yours, mine or anyone else’s what standard of treatment he gets.
Well then why go to the media then if it’s his own business?
Well if doesn’t turn up for work in the next few weeks people will be asking why.
Bet he won’t be waiting for treatments like the rest of us
“Seized the initiative”.. went public when the media were about to.
I hope his medical card wasn’t cancelled for some reason. It would seem unreasonable to cancel a card on someone with a serious medical condition….
And still he made it onto the Tarmac to meet Donald. Is it fair, when so many are suffering with cancer that he plays down the heavy toll it that’s on family’s. Noonan Family must be worried sick that the stress of office could hinder recovery. if he feels he can contuine then it must be on medicinal grounds but with the stress test of our banks. His head of dept leaving and a possible property bubble forming should he have the finial say. for that matter show we be worried about the physical and mental health of all TD. Should a medicinal not be compulsory before taking their seats in Dáil Éireann. asking for drug tests and breath samples before voting on legislation maybe going a bit far but leaving control in so few hands and if some where compromised due to drink or mental ability. Could that legislation they voted on not be open to question due to their state of mind.
Excellent!
What’s excellent about that drivel, you must be easily pleased, such asinine posts.
Pass the puke bucket ,please ! It’s a private matter and he’s just another human being ,fighting a battle !
I can’t believe he still has his snout at the trough at 71. There should be a mandatory retirement age for them exactly like for everybody else.
taking leaders questions and according to media reports its opportunity to congratulate him on his fight with cancer……..not a mention of the 800 babies buried in septic tank
I do not really get how this article is an analysis or even why an analysis is required. It’s more of a ‘noonan is a great fella altogether for getting ahead of the ball with this cancer and getting on with the job,’ type of personal opinion.
mike how is Bill
have your say