Johnson refuses to apologise over 'offensive' burqa comments

Britain's prime minister has backed calls for former foreign secretary Boris Johnson to apologise for his comments comparing women in burqas to bank robbers.

Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson talks during a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw, Poland. Source: AP

British Prime Minister Theresa May backed calls Tuesday for her former foreign minister Boris Johnson to apologise for disparaging comments he made about Muslim women wearing burqas -- but he branded his critics "ridiculous".

May said his remarks "have clearly caused offence" and agreed with the chairman of her Conservative party, Brandon Lewis, who had asked Johnson to apologise.

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