Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Boris Johnson will meet top Donald Trump aide and former right-wing news boss Steve Bannon on his trip to the US this week, The Independent understands.
The Foreign Secretary will schedule meetings with top White House and Republican figures including Mr Bannon when he visits Washington DC and New York.
Mr Bannon was executive chair of the far-right website Brietbart News, an outlet which has developed a reputation for publishing conspiracy theories and misleading or false stories.
The former media executive turned politician now sits on a committee of the US National Security Council by virtue of Mr Trump appointing him as White House chief strategist and assistant to the President.
Foreign Office sources confirmed the Foreign Secretary would be meeting with Mr Bannon and other top Trump advisors such as Stephen Miller on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Mr Johnson is also expected to meet Mr Trump’s pick for Secretary of State Rex Tillerson – his likely counterpart.
The visit will come just days after the White House accused a British intelligence agency of spying on the US president Mr Trump.
Sean Spicer, the president’s press secretary, said GCHQ had helped Barack Obama spy on Mr Trump – leading to a rare denial by GCHQ.
After the meetings with Mr Trump’s officials in Washington DC Mr Johnson is expected to head to New York City where he will chair a meeting of the UN Security Council on the security situation in Somalia and the famine in South Sudan.
He will also host a major UN event on women’s global empowerment.
An FCO spokesperson said: "Boris Johnson will travel to the Washington this week for a summit on countering Daesh on Wednesday 22 March and then to New York to chair discussions on South Sudan and Somalia in the UN Security Council on Thursday 23 March.
"On Wednesday evening he will attend a reception linked to the ongoing UN Commission on the Status of Women."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments