Johnson accuses rivals of 'trivialising' Libya over 'bodies' row
The Foreign Secretary is refusing to apologise amid outrage sparked by his party conference remarks about the African country.
Tuesday 17 October 2017 19:42, UK
Boris Johnson has accused opponents of "trivialising" Libya's security situation as he came under fresh pressure over his controversial comments about the north African country.
The Foreign Secretary was challenged by MPs on Tuesday over his recent suggestion Libyan city Sirte could become the "next Dubai" if they "clear the dead bodies away".
In his first appearance at the House of Commons' despatch box since he made the remarks at a Conservative Party conference fringe event, Mr Johnson faced new calls to apologise over the row.
But, asked whether he would withdraw his comments by the SNP's international affairs spokesman Stephen Gethins, the Foreign Secretary went on the attack.
"I don't believe that political point scoring of this kind, or trivialising or ignoring the reality of the security situation in Sirte does any favours to the people of Libya," said Mr Johnson, during the session of Foreign Office questions.
"What they want to see is the international community, concerted and coordinated around the UN plan, so that their children have the opportunities that are currently denied to that generation in Libya.
"That is what we are working to achieve."
:: Libya demands apology over Boris Johnson 'clear the bodies' quip
Mr Johnson also sidestepped a question as to whether he will apologise or resign from Mr Gethins' fellow SNP MP David Linden, who branded the comments "just the latest gaffe" from the Foreign Secretary.
In response to Labour's shadow foreign minister Fabian Hamilton, who called on Mr Johnson to directly apologise to the families of those who died fighting Islamic State in Sirte, the Foreign Secretary urged MPs to back the Government's efforts to stabilise Libya.
"By far the best thing this Government and this House can do is to get behind the plan this Government are promoting to bring security to Libya and to Sirte, which would do honour to all those who fell fighting Daesh in Libya," Mr Johnson said.
"That is the way forward for that country, and that is the course we are promoting."
Mr Johnson's party conference comments, which were met by some laughter at the fringe event, earned him a rebuke from Downing Street, while the Foreign Secretary's Cabinet colleagues reminded him to take care with his language.