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Boris Johnson defends City bankers on French radio Boris Johnson defends City bankers on French radio
(35 minutes later)
Mayor of London Boris Johnson has defended the City of London during a visit to Paris.Mayor of London Boris Johnson has defended the City of London during a visit to Paris.
During an interview on French radio, the mayor - who was speaking in French - said Europe's attack on bankers was a "distraction" from the real problem - a loss of confidence in the euro.During an interview on French radio, the mayor - who was speaking in French - said Europe's attack on bankers was a "distraction" from the real problem - a loss of confidence in the euro.
Mr Johnson is due to give a speech later in the French capital on London's relationship with Europe.Mr Johnson is due to give a speech later in the French capital on London's relationship with Europe.
He told French listeners that he wanted the UK to stay in the single market.He told French listeners that he wanted the UK to stay in the single market.
Mr Johnson is in Paris to meet with business leaders and will speak at the Franco British Chambers of Commerce.Mr Johnson is in Paris to meet with business leaders and will speak at the Franco British Chambers of Commerce.
In/out referendumIn/out referendum
Speaking on France Inter, the mayor, who has a French grandmother, said: "In my view, Europe's problem is that at the moment it is attacking London's bankers. That is a diversion, a distraction. The problem remains the euro.Speaking on France Inter, the mayor, who has a French grandmother, said: "In my view, Europe's problem is that at the moment it is attacking London's bankers. That is a diversion, a distraction. The problem remains the euro.
"We are suffering because of our closeness to the eurozone and the loss of confidence which is coming from Europe."We are suffering because of our closeness to the eurozone and the loss of confidence which is coming from Europe.
"We have the same problems of debt and deficit. But Europe's problem is that confidence is not coming back.""We have the same problems of debt and deficit. But Europe's problem is that confidence is not coming back."
In light of David Cameron's recent promise of an in/out referendum on the EU after the next election, Mr Johnson was asked by a French caller for his views on whether the UK should leave the EU.In light of David Cameron's recent promise of an in/out referendum on the EU after the next election, Mr Johnson was asked by a French caller for his views on whether the UK should leave the EU.
A recent survey found that 61% of French people are in favour of Britain's departure.A recent survey found that 61% of French people are in favour of Britain's departure.
Mr Johnson said: "Personally, I would like to stay in the single market. We need to stay in the council of ministers of the internal market. In my view, the British have done good things for Europe."Mr Johnson said: "Personally, I would like to stay in the single market. We need to stay in the council of ministers of the internal market. In my view, the British have done good things for Europe."
Referring to the fact that French companies now provide London with red buses, electricity and water, he added: "We have the free movement of goods meaning French companies can buy important things like infrastructure in the UK and we benefit."Referring to the fact that French companies now provide London with red buses, electricity and water, he added: "We have the free movement of goods meaning French companies can buy important things like infrastructure in the UK and we benefit."
He said he would not vote for the UK to leave the EU if David Cameron was successful in securing some reforms to the institution.He said he would not vote for the UK to leave the EU if David Cameron was successful in securing some reforms to the institution.
'Shunammite woman''Shunammite woman'
He added: "You are not seeing growth in England, or France, only in Germany.He added: "You are not seeing growth in England, or France, only in Germany.
"Like Nicholas Ridley said twenty years ago the monetary union in Europe will be very good for Germany and that is what we're seeing."Like Nicholas Ridley said twenty years ago the monetary union in Europe will be very good for Germany and that is what we're seeing.
"It's a machine for exporting the goods of German factories. No one can resist because the single currency gives an unbelievable platform for these exports. You cannot find a solution in my view.""It's a machine for exporting the goods of German factories. No one can resist because the single currency gives an unbelievable platform for these exports. You cannot find a solution in my view."
He also stressed the importance of Europe being open to trade with emerging economies because "that is where we will find growth".
The mayor was challenged to defend his Churchillian credentials after admitting Winston Churchill was the politician he admired most form the modern era.The mayor was challenged to defend his Churchillian credentials after admitting Winston Churchill was the politician he admired most form the modern era.
French DJ Patrick Cohen accused Mr Johnson of not being a Churchillian because of the former prime minister's famous call for a "United States of Europe" in a speech in 1946.French DJ Patrick Cohen accused Mr Johnson of not being a Churchillian because of the former prime minister's famous call for a "United States of Europe" in a speech in 1946.
"Churchill is like the Bible," he said. "You can always find a text which can be used for everything. And remember, Churchill also said that us Britons are like the Shunammite woman who stays outside, who stays apart from the rest.""Churchill is like the Bible," he said. "You can always find a text which can be used for everything. And remember, Churchill also said that us Britons are like the Shunammite woman who stays outside, who stays apart from the rest."
Ahead of next week's budget, the mayor said David Cameron needed to pursue a "policy of enterprise".
He admitted the were problems to solve on the economy, but, slipping into more anglicised French, he said he had full confidence the government would "sorter them out".