Boris Johnson quips: Mossad may have compromising party videos of him

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Boris Johnson at a celebration a gala dinner in London

Photo: TOM NICHOLSON / REUTERS

When Boris Johnson stands at a lectern, his audience can expect comical interludes.

This is what happened now during a visit by Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid.

The British Prime Minister and his guest from Israel attended a Hanukkah celebration together on Monday.

The event was organized by a group called "Conservative Friends of Israel".

Johnson gave a speech on the occasion, joking that the Israeli foreign intelligence service Mossad may still have compromising material from him.

The alleged video recordings were made during a sprawling party in Tel Aviv.

Johnson danced on the tables.

In recent years he has been warned again and again that these videos could exist, he said and was surprised that the recordings had not yet appeared anywhere.

Perhaps, he further speculated in his speech, the Mossad wanted to withhold the videos if they were ever needed "for strategic reasons."

Johnson is known for his jokes.

In the end, however, he has caused confusion rather than entertainment.

The British Prime Minister recently irritated with a bizarre speech about the comic pig Peppa Pig.

After the lecture to British business representatives, it hit the international headlines and even in their own ranks some asked themselves whether Johnson was doing well.

At his appearance on Monday he had the laughs on his side again.

It hardly needed the hint that his Israeli party anecdote was a joke.

The British Prime Minister's body language left little doubt about that.

It must have been more serious behind the scenes.

Johnson and Israel's Foreign Minister Lapid are likely to have discussed the nuclear negotiations with Iran in particular.

In Vienna, Iranian representatives are currently negotiating the revival of the 2015 agreement. Germany, France, Great Britain, Russia and China are mediating between Iran and the United States.

In Israel this is viewed with concern.

Johnson said he fully supported Israel's right to defense.

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