The remark was made by an audience member during Boris Johnson’s first hustings on Saturday. The audience member, Alec Bradley, swore live on air while referring to Mr Johnson’s previous remark “f*** business”. Mr Bradley asked: “In June last year during a Foreign Office reception you were asked about corporate concerns regarding a hard Brexit. You replied ‘f*** business’. Is your attitude towards British jobs still as cavalier and as careless as it obviously was then?”

The audience applauded before Mr Johnson replied: “Well I must say that I bitterly resent the way one stray remark to the Belgian ambassador, who was making the case that the UK would not be able to leave the European Union.

“I don’t think that should be allowed to cloud what is I think a pretty extraordinary record for a politician for sticking up for business at every conceivable opportunity.

“I can’t think of any other political, even Conservative politician, who from the crash of 2008 onwards actually stuck up for the bankers.

“Can you think of anybody who stuck up for the bankers as much as I did? I defended them day in, day out.”

I don’t think that should be allowed to cloud what is I think a pretty extraordinary record

Boris Johnson

Sky News’ Sophy Ridge later interrupted the hustings to apologise on a voiceover: “I’d just like to make a quick apology for anyone listening who heard that and language by the person asking the question about Boris Johnson’s attitude to business.

“Apologies for that bad language.”

The BBC was also forced to apologise as they failed to censure the swearing.

Mr Johnson and Jeremy Hunt are squaring off in the first one-on-one hustings, with a debate in front of Tory members in Birmingham.

Mr Johnson refused to answer a question about his private life and visit from police.

Iain Dale asks Mr Johnson why the police were called to his house in the early hours of a Friday morning.

Mr Johnson said people do not want to hear about that sort of thing and are more interested in hearing about his plans for the country.

He said: “I want to get our message across”.

The broadcaster replied: “If the police are called to your home, it makes it everyone’s business.”

Mr Johnson said: “People are entitled to ask about me and my character.”

Mr Dale accused him of avoiding the question and continued to ask him about the issue.

Mr Dale said: “Does a person’s private life have any bearing on their ability to be Prime Minister?”

He added: “I have the determination and the courage to deliver.”

The winner of the contest is expected to be announced in the week beginning July 22nd.

In the final ballot of Tory MPs, Mr Johnson had the backing of 160 MPs, versus 77 for Mr Hunt and 75 for Michael Gove who was eliminated.

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