UK minister ‘disappointed’ at reports Macron called Johnson a ‘clown’

French President Emmanuel Macron is reported to have called Boris Johnson a ‘clown’ (Alastair Grant/PA)

A UK Cabinet minister said she was “surprised” and “disappointed” at reports French President Emmanuel Macron had branded Boris Johnson a “clown”.

Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey was responding to a suggestion in the French media that Mr Macron privately made disparaging comments about the UK Prime Minister as tensions ran high over the migrant crisis in the Channel.