BORIS Johnson's controversial decision to meet with the right-wing leader of Hungary has been widely criticised.
The Prime Minister chose to meet Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban as only the second leader of an EU nation to be hosted at Downing Street.
The move to host the Hungarian leader was lambasted by opposition figures, anti-racism groups and more due to Orban's views on migrants, alleged Islamophobia, antisemitism and for assaults on democracy and the freedom of the press.
Orban has been criticised for speaking about “Muslim invaders” and describing migrants as “a poison”.
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He has also previously praised Johnson for delivering Brexit, is a close ally of Russian president Vladimir Putin, and has twice blocked the EU from issuing statements condemning China for actions in Hong Kong.
Robin Niblett, director of the Chatham House policy institute, wrote on Twitter: "Viktor Orban is the first EU leader Boris Johnson will host after Irish PM Martin. Given Orban’s record of hollowing out Hungarian democracy & close relations w Putin, the visit calls into question the values Johnson says Global Britain stands for.
"Britain [looks] small instead."
Viktor Orban is the first EU leader Boris Johnson will host after Irish PM Martin. Given Orban’s record of hollowing out Hungarian democracy & close relations w Putin, the visit calls into question the values Johnson says Global Britain stands for.
— Robin Niblett (@RobinNiblett) May 28, 2021
Britain look small instead
A spokesperson from the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the national representative organisation of the UK Jewish community, said: “We have raised our concerns regarding antisemitic rhetoric, Holocaust revisionism and a number of other issues with Downing Street ahead of this visit.”
Before the meeting took place, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng defended Johnson’s decision to welcome Orban to London, saying it would be “irresponsible” not to “build bilateral relations” after Brexit.
However, opposition figures at Westminster called into question the perception of the UK Johnson was looking to portray by attempting to woo Orban.
LibDem leader Ed Davey (below) wrote to Johnson outlining challenges he should have put to Orban.
Davey said: "When you decide to invite leaders of other countries to Downing Street, your choice matters.
“It sends a signal to our allies, to our partners, to people in Britain and around the world, of the UK’s values and commitments.
“We are therefore extremely concerned that you have chosen to invite Prime Minister Orban to Downing Street.
“Orban’s rule has been marked by a sustained assault on Hungarian democracy, on press freedom and on human rights.”
Labour shadow foreign secretary, Lisa Nandy, before the meeting, also demanded the Prime Minister “challenge the repeated attempts to undermine democratic values”.
Downing Street said Johnson brought up concerns about the domestic situation in Hungary, as well as “a number of foreign policy issues”, including Orban's close links to Moscow.
Hungary caused tensions in the EU when it bought and distributed considerable quantities of Russia’s Covid-19 vaccine Sputnik, in further signs Orban is looking east for allies.
In what appears to have been a bid to encourage Orban to change tack, Johnson urged his eastern European counterpart to “promote democracy and stability” during their discussions, rather than side with Russia, Belarus and China.
Downing Street said the leaders discussed working together to "increase security and prosperity" in both nations and address global challenges such as climate change.
A No 10 spokeswoman said: "The Prime Minister raised his significant concerns about human rights in Hungary, including gender equality, LGBT rights and media freedom.
“The leaders also discussed a number of foreign policy issues including Russia, Belarus and China. The Prime Minister encouraged Hungary to use their influence to promote democracy and stability.”
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