10 May 2016•Update: 11 May 2016
LONDON
Britain’s David Cameron was overheard describing Afghanistan and Nigeria as “possibly the two most corrupt countries in the world.”
The U.K. prime minister was picked up making the remarks by television microphones on Tuesday as he spoke to Queen Elizabeth II at an event to mark her 90th birthday.
The Afghan and Nigerian leaders are among the representatives of 70 countries due to attend an anti-corruption summit in London on Thursday.
Apparently referring to the summit, Cameron can be heard telling the Queen in a clip shared on Twitter by ITV News journalist Chris Ship: “We've got the leaders of some fantastically corrupt countries coming to Britain.”
“Nigeria and Afghanistan, possibly the two most corrupt countries in the world,” he continues.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria are confirmed as attending the summit, as are U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and IMF chief Christine Lagarde.
The U.K. government said Thursday’s summit seeks to “galvanise a global response to tackle corruption”, aiming to secure an international promise to expose global corruption and punish perpetrators.
Nigeria reacts
In a statement on Tuesday night, Nigerian presidential spokesman Garba Shehu called Cameron's comment "embarrassing" and an "old snapshot" of the country.
The British High Commission in Nigeria said Tuesday evening that the country "stands together" with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in his bid to fight corruption, in an apparent bid to appease.
"UK stands together with the Nigerian President as he drives the fight against corruption in Nigeria. [We are] delighted he’s playing key role in London Summit," the British High Commission tweeted Tuesday night.
*Anadolu Agency Correspondent Rafiu Ajakaye contributed to this report from Lagos, Nigeria.
