Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has claimed that UK ally Saudi Arabia is engaging in "proxy wars" in the Middle East, comments that Prime Minister Theresa May says do not represent Britain's position.

Key points: Johnson said an absence of Middle East leadership allows Saudi to play 'proxy wars'

Johnson said an absence of Middle East leadership allows Saudi to play 'proxy wars' May's spokeswoman says those are Johnson's views, not Britain's

May's spokeswoman says those are Johnson's views, not Britain's Saudi Arabia is an ally of the UK and a major customer for defence companies

Saudi Arabia is an ally of the UK and a major customer for defence companies May says Johnson will clarify the Britain's position when he visits Saudi next month

Mr Johnson — known for his colourful use of language and tendency to go off-script — reportedly told an audience in Rome last week that the absence of real leadership in the Middle East had allowed people to twist religion and stoke proxy wars.

"You've got the Saudis, Iran, everybody, moving in, and puppeteering and playing proxy wars. And it is a tragedy to watch it," Mr Johnson was shown saying in footage posted on The Guardian newspaper's website.

"There are politicians who are twisting and abusing religion and different strains of the same religion in order to further their own political objectives.

"That's one of the biggest political problems in the whole region."

It is unclear from the footage whether he specifically accused Saudi and Iran of twisting religion, though The Guardian reported that Mr Johnson had accused Saudi Arabia of abusing Islam.

A spokeswoman for Ms May said: "Those are the Foreign Secretary's views, they are not the Government's position on, for example Saudi, and its role in the region."

Ms May's quick response underlined the importance of Britain's alliance with Saudi Arabia, which is a major customer for British defence companies.

"We want to strengthen that relationship," Ms May's office said.

Ms May appointed Mr Johnson — who was key in the campaign for Britain to leave the European Union — in July, after he failed in a bid to become prime minister, cementing her appeal to other Brexit supporters in the ruling Conservative Party.

Her spokeswoman said Ms May still supported the Foreign Secretary, adding that Mr Johnson would have the "opportunity to set out the way that the UK sees its relationship with Saudi Arabia" during a visit to the region.

It is the latest in a series of gaffes to plague the Foreign Secretary, who even Ms May has jokingly said was hard to keep "on message for a full four days".

He has been criticised by some EU officials for using less-than-diplomatic language in talks on Britain's decision to leave the bloc.

AP/Reuters