Boris Johnson hails 'step forward' as world leaders respond to Joe Biden's inauguration

Boris Johnson has described the inauguration of Joe Biden as a "step forward" for America after a "bumpy period" under Donald Trump.

The Prime Minister – who had a close relationship with Mr Trump – appeared keen to distance himself from the previous administration as he talked about "the issues that unite me and Joe Biden".

Speaking to reporters in Downing Street, Mr Johnson said: "I really congratulate Joe and Kamala Harris on their achievement, on their inauguration today. It's a fantastic thing for America, a step forward for the country, that has been through a bumpy period, and for us and America it's a big moment.

"When you look at the issues that unite me and Joe Biden, the UK and the United States right now, there's a fantastic joint common agenda."

Asked if he thought Mr Biden was "woke", as Lisa Nandy, Labour’s shadow foreign secretary, had suggested, Mr Johnson said: "I can't comment on that. What I know is that he's a firm believer in the transatlantic alliance and that's a great thing, and a believer in a lot of the things that we want to achieve together.

"There's nothing wrong with being woke. I put myself in the category of people who believe that it's important to stick up for your history, your traditions and your values, the things you believe in."

Earlier, Mr Johnson had told MPs he was looking forward to "strengthening the partnership between our countries, and working on our shared priorities for tackling climate change, building back better from the pandemic, and strengthening our transatlantic security".

Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, said: "The US begins a new chapter in its history – one of hope, decency, compassion and strength. Together, our two nations can build a better, more optimistic future for our world."

Emmanuel Macron, the French president, said: "Best wishes on this most significant day for the American people. We are together. We will be stronger to face the challenges of our time. Stronger to build our future. Stronger to protect our planet. Welcome back to the Paris Agreement!"

Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, made no secret of her joy at the end of the Trump era, saying: "This new dawn in America is the moment we’ve been waiting for so long... once again, after four long years, Europe has a friend in the White House."

The German president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, said: "I am greatly relieved that, today, Joe Biden is being sworn in as president and will be moving into the White House. I know many people in Germany share this feeling."

Carl Bildt, the former Swedish prime minister and co-chairman of the European Council on Foreign Relations, said: "Farewell! Finally" as Mr Trump left office.

Pope Francis said he was praying that "Almighty God will grant you wisdom and strength in the exercise of your high office... I likewise ask God, the source of all wisdom and truth, to guide your efforts to foster understanding, reconciliation and peace within the United States and among the nations of the world in order to advance the universal common good.

"With these sentiments, I willingly invoke upon you and your family and the beloved American people an abundance of blessings."

The Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani, used the occasion for propaganda purposes, saying: "A tyrant's era came to an end and today is the final day of his ominous reign."

Meanwhile, Hua Chunying, of China's foreign ministry, said: "In the past four years, the US administration has made fundamental mistakes in its strategic perception of China... interfering in China's internal affairs, suppressing and smearing China, and causing serious damage to China-US relations."