Boris Johnson’s congratulations to Joe Biden accidentally contained message for Donald Trump

NUMBER 10’S MESSAGE TO BIDEN ORIGINALLY CONGRATULATED TRUMP

(Picture: Twitter)

Boris Johnson’s congratulations message to Joe Biden accidentally contained a message meant for Donald Trump, it was revealed today.

An hour after it was projected that Mr Biden had won the US election, the Prime Minister tweeted his congratulations with a graphic saying: “Congratulations to Joe Biden on his election as President of the United States and to Kamala Harris on her historic achievement.  

“The US is our most important ally and I look forward to working closely together on our shared priorities, from climate change to trade and security.”

The words for Trump embedded in Johnson’s message

Twitter

However, website Guido Fawkes found a congratulatory message for Trump was hidden in the post by Mr Johnson.

Words congratulating “Trump” can be deciphered hovering above the message for Biden and Harris.

In the second part of the message, the phrases “second term” and “on the future of this” can also just about be made out.

A Government spokesperson said: “As you’d expect, two statements were prepared in advance for the outcome of this closely contested election. 

"A technical error meant that parts of the alternative message were embedded in the background of the graphic.”

Congratulations @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris pic.twitter.com/xrpE99W4c4

— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) November 7, 2020

Mr Johnson has not yet spoken to the president-elect and his spokesman declined to say whether a call would take place today.

However, the PM told cabinet ministers this morning he is "looking forward" to working with Mr Biden on tackling climate change, boosting free trade and standing up for human rights.

President-elect Joe Biden 

AFP/Getty Images

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "Cabinet began by discussing the US election.

"The PM congratulated Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, and said he was looking forward to working with the president-elect on tackling climate change, boosting free trade and standing up for human rights and the rules-based international system."