Boris Johnson speaks to President Joe Biden in first phone call - with hopes of deepening longstanding alliance with US

Boris Johnson has spoken to the newly inaugurated US President Joe Biden in a Saturday evening phone call to Washington DC.

The pair discuss free trade deals, climate change, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which is hitting both countries hard.

After the call, the prime minister tweeted: "Great to speak to President Joe Biden this evening.

"I look forward to deepening the longstanding alliance between our two countries as we drive a green and sustainable recovery from COVID-19."

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Mr Johnson is the first European leader to speak to Mr Biden since his inauguration. The US president's first calls with world leaders were with Mexico's Manuel Lopez Obrador and Canada's Justin Trudeau.

Giving more information on the call, a Downing Street spokesperson said: "The prime minister spoke to Joe Biden, president of the United States, this evening.

"He congratulated the president on his inauguration and the two leaders looked forward to deepening the close alliance between our nations.