Boris Johnson press conference 'humiliation' prompts anger and derision in newspaper headlines – The Independent, Independent

Boris Johnson‘s trip to the continent was labeled a“ humiliation ”and an“ ambush ”as it made headlines across Tuesday’s papers.

The prime minister traveled toLuxembourgforhis first face-to-face meetingwithEuropean CommissionpresidentJean-Claude Junckersince entering Downing Street.

But it was an afternoon press conference that became the main talking point, after Luxembourg’s prime minister,Xavier Bettel, went ahead despite Mr Johnsonpulling out of a speech due to the noise of protesters.

TheDaily Mailleads with the headline “Le Stitch Up”, referring to Mr Bettel’s actions as a “calculated diplomatic snub”.

The paper’s leader column adds thatBrusselsis “playing with fire” if it wills Mr Johnson to fail.

The column says: “The prime minister came in peace – to begin negotiations over risotto for an eleventh-hour (Brexit) deal with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker.

“Instead, he found himself served up as the dish in a media stunt designed to publicly humiliate him.

“No wonder Britain voted to quit the EU” runs the headline in theDaily Express, whileThe Daily Telegraphsays Mr Johnson walked into an “ambush”.

Their leader, similar to that of theMail, questions whether theEUis serious about wanting a deal with the UK. )                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

“His working lunch with Jean-Claude Juncker and Michel Barnier was an opportunity to reset the negotiations and put them on course for an agreement by 31 October, ”it says.

“Instead, there was a deliberate attempt to humiliate the British prime minister by staging a press conference from which he was absent.

“The ’empty lectern’ approach adopted by Xavier Bettel, Luxembourg’s prime minister, was hardly a friendly or constructive act.”

The Sunrefers to the EU’s “snakes”, saying that “decency and courtesy” should have seen the press conference moved inside, while theDaily Mirrorcalls Mr Johnson a “hulking great mess”, with its leader saying “Boris Johnson is not the Incredible Hulk, he’s the Incompetent Sulk ”.

“If he can’t take the heat, he should get out of the kitchen. This is a moment in history when a statesman is needed, not this big baby, ”it adds.

Press Association******