大象传媒

Kwasi Kwarteng: decision to cancel Russia talks was probably referred up to Number Ten.

The Tory MP for Spelthorne said: "I think the Prime Minister took the view that it wouldn't be appropriate for him [Boris Johnson] to go to Moscow at this time. I think it's a finely balanced judgement."

Speaking to the Westminster Hour's Carolyn Quinn, Mr Kwarteng added: "I understand the reasons why we should be engaging with Moscow but I think if you put it the other way, if Boris had gone to Moscow there would be pictures of him with his Russian counterparts and I think the media could easily have turned against him on that."