A business chief was recorded whispering helpfully to Boris Johnson as his immigration plan faced scrutiny from industry leaders.
In a bizarre on-stage moment, Confederation of British Industry (CBI) President John Allan, apparently unaware his microphone was on, whispered that they supported his migration crackdown.
But hours earlier, the group’s director raised serious concerns about the impact of the plan on businesses.
The Tories said yesterday they wanted their immigration policy to allow the “brightest and best” into the country.
He faced questions about the policy at today’s CBI conference.
The CBI’s Director General, Carolyn Fairbairn, had raised concerns before the PM’s speech, saying the hardline approach was a “worry.”
"When we hear talk about brightest and best, I think that is a worry," she said.
"If you do want to build 200,000 houses a year, you don't just need the architects and the designers, you need the carpenters, you need the electricians, you need the labourers."
But there followed a bizarre exchange in a Q&A after his speech to the conference, when he was quizzed about the policy.
He was asked by Sky News’ Sam Coates: “CBI leaders disagree with you on your approach and your goals of Brexit and on your plan for immigration.
"If they, the CBI, worry that you’re wrong on the biggest questions on the economy how can you put to bed lingering suspicions that you just think you can…’F business’?
“Or do you think that the CBI doesn’t represent the true voice of business?”
CBI President John Allan, who is also Chairman of Tesco, sidled up to the PM, apparently unaware that his microphone was switched on.
He whispered to Johnson: “Can I say, I don't think we are at difference on immigration because I think your plan can be made to work."
Mr Johnson returned to the lectern, saying: "Fantastic - well I've just got red hot news from John which is that he doesn't think that we are at variance on our plans for immigration."
Later in the same session, Mr Allen sparked outrage after declaring questions about Prince Andrew’s interview on child sex trafficking were “tedious”.
