Boris Johnson has held two secret meetings with Tony Blair about the Middle East since taking office despite calling on voters last week to ignore his views.

The Foreign Secretary – who once described Mr Blair as “unhinged” and needing “professional psychiatric help” – met him October and again in January, it can be revealed.

The conversations are understood to have last between 30 and 45 minutes and focussed on policy towards the Middle East rather than Brexit.

It shows the extent to which Mr Blair is re-engaging in British politics after restructuring his business affairs last year.

The fact that Mr Johnson values Mr Blair’s insights enough to guide his foreign policy jars with his repeated criticism of the former Labour prime minister.