The British Prime Minister, David Cameron, has described Nigeria and Afghanistan as “fantastically corrupt” whilst in conversation with The Queen.
In his latest faux pas, Mr Cameron was talking ahead of the upcoming anti-corruption summit next week, when he made the remarks.
He said to Her Majesty: “We have got the Nigerians – actually we have got some leaders of some fantastically corrupt countries coming to Britain.”
He continued: “Nigeria and Afghanistan – possibly two of the most corrupt countries in the world.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury tried to defuse the situation by saying: “But this particular president is actually not corrupt.”
Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, then added: “They are coming at their own expense, one assumes?”
Mr Cameron responded: “Everything has to be open. There are no sort of closed-door sessions. Everything has to be in front of the press. It could be quite interesting.”
Mr Cameron was unaware his conversation was being recorded when he was speaking to the Queen, where the Archbishop, Mr Bercow and Leader of the House of Commons were also present.
The timing of Mr Cameron’s comments is particularly embarrassing, as he will host world and business leaders at the corruption summit on Thursday where Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari will be present.
A Downing Street spokesperson later said that the Presidents of Nigeria and Afghanistan have both acknowledged the corruption challenge, and that the UK stands shoulder to shoulder with them.
This is just one of many gaffes Mr Cameron has made that has implicated The Queen in recent times.
In 2014, he was famously overheard saying that Her Majesty “purred” upon hearing the news that Scotland had decided to remain part of the UK in the independence referendum.
Afterwards, the PM apologised to the monarch – saying he was “very embarrassed” and “extremely sorry”.
Please edit “this is one of many…..” to make some sort of sense.
Thanks
“implemented The Queen” ???? someone needs to make better use of their O.E.D. !
That is so laughable…everybody knows those in power in Africa are all corrupt. And Afghanistan, to name a few. That’s why the people are in poverty there.
Mr. Cameron, don’t feel embrassed, Stand tall!!!! Everyone knows basically around the world those leaders are corrupt. You should go after the one taping you and kick his butt. Don’t be like are President in the USA.
Whether he was right or not. A PM can not be overheard saying things like that. Again we see, what Germany proves well too, these days: democracy is a mere joke.