Boris Johnson slammed for saying English 'too often' not first language in UK

Boris Johnson has come under fire after claiming English is "too often" not being spoken as a first language.

The would-be prime minister's comments were aimed at immigrants, saying he wanted them to "feel British" and learn English.

But he was attacked by Welsh and Gaelic-speaking politicians for his remarks at a Tory hustings.

At an event in Darlington, he said: "I want everybody who comes here and makes their lives here to be and to feel British, that's the most important thing, and to learn English.

Demonstrations were held ahead of the leadership hopefuls' Scottish hustings (Getty Images)

The pair bidding for PM did not get a wholly warm reception in Perth, Scotland (Getty Images)

"And too often there are parts of our country, and parts of London still and other cities as well, where English is not spoken by some people as their first language, and that needs to be changed and people need to be allowed to take part in the economy and in society in the way that that shared experience would allow."

Jane Dodds, the Liberal Democrat candidate in the Brecon and Radnorshire by-election, said: "Here in Wales, we know that not speaking English as your first language is no barrier to having a thriving community."

Pro-independence groups made their message clear as the Tory politicians battled in Scotland (Getty Images)

SNP MP Angus MacNeil said on Twitter : "Boris is just moronic and clueless.

"Same arrogance of centuries past that did down native Celtic languages for the Germanic import.

"Multilingualism please Boris and drop the cultural imperialism."