Former Australian PM calls Truss remarks ‘demented'

Foreign secretary suggested China may exploit situation in Ukraine to further its own ambitions in the Pacific Ocean

- ROB MERRICK

A former prime minister of Australia has branded comments made by Liz Truss “demented” after she claimed China could exploit a Russian invasion of Ukraine to launch its own attacks in the Pacific. Paul Keating made the extraordinary attack on the remarks of the foreign secretary – and Tory leadership contender – as he also tore into the UK’s “delusions of grandeur” in considering itself a global big-hitter.

The spat came after Ms Truss, while on a visit to Australia, argued that no one should rule out Beijing aggression if Vladimir Putin sends his troops into Ukraine. “Russia is working more closely with China than it ever has. Aggressors are working in concert and I think it’s incumbent on countries like ours to work together,” she claimed.