Boris Johnson plays down 'sadistic nurse' remarks about Hillary Clinton as pair meet to discuss Isis threat

Talks described as 'friendly' between London mayor and the women he once said represented 'everything I came into politics to oppose'

Mayor of London Boris Johnson meets Hillary Clinton at her offices in New York, on Wednesday (PA)

Hillary Clinton has warned during talks with Boris Johnson that the UK needs to do more to help the Kurds in their battle against Islamic State (Isis).

The Mayor of London revealed after the 50 minute meeting today that the former US Secretary of State was “very, very clear” that Britain should get more involved.

He told reporters: “Secretary Clinton was very, very clear that she thinks there should be more engagement, more support from the UK in backing the Kurds against Isil (Isis) and trying to support them.”

President Obama sent Congress a draft authorisation to use force against Isis, and America has already carried out air strikes in Iraq and Syria, but the British government has ruled out extending their involvement beyond advice and training.

Mr Johnson, who has called for the Government to provide more equipment to support the Kurds, said: “Her general rule is that Britain and America are the two countries that can be relied on around the world to stand together fighting terrorism.

Taxi for Boris:The Mayor of London takes a ride in a New York cab (PA)

“She perfectly understands the difficulties that London faces with large communities of people who may not necessarily feel as attached or loyal to the country in the way they should...

“Her feeling was that Britain was doing a lot more than most European countries to integrate and to make people feel committed to the idea of Britishness and to feel loyal to our country.”

The talks, which were described by aides as friendly, came after Mr Johnson was forced to play down a past remark that Mrs Clinton reminded him of a “sadistic nurse in a mental hospital”.

In an article in 2007 he also said the US presidential hopeful represented “everything I came into politics to oppose” including an “all-round purse-lipped political correctness”.

Asked whether she had mentioned his faux pas, Mr Johnson admitted: “Secretary Clinton was extremely kind and gracious and in so far as the subject came up she was said she was pleased by some aspects of the article.”

Mrs Clinton also warned the Mayor of the dangers posed by Russia and the need to be “very cautious” about Vladimir Putin.

“We in Western Europe need to become less dependent on Russian gas. We need an energy policy that allows us to be able to stand up to what she clearly feels is an adventurist policy by Vladimir Putin,” he said.

As Mrs Clinton arrived in the building for the meeting she asked reporters whether the London mayor was running for higher office, and if he would be interested in going for US President. “Which one do you think he'll be, Democrat or Republican?” she quipped.

As the pair shook hands at the entrance of the Clinton Foundation in mid-town Manhattan, she confirmed with Mr Johnson that he had been born in the US, a prerequisite for running for the Oval Office.