Downing Street defends Boris Johnson not attending Euro final or holding reception for Lionesses

Downing Street has defended the Prime Minister not attending the Euro's final at Wembley or holding a reception for the victorious England team in Number 10.

Boris Johnson watched the Lionesses historic win at his country mansion Chequers, his official spokesman said on Monday.

Unlike previous sporting winners, the team will not be honoured with a visit to No10 this week as Mr Johnson is attending a funeral in Northern Ireland before heading off on holiday from Wednesday.

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Mr Johnson's German counterpart Olaf Scholz was at Wembley Stadium on Sunday night.

"The Prime Minister watched it along with a seemingly significant proportion of the UK public on TV and has been supporting them throughout," Mr Johnson's official spokesman said.

"The Foreign Secretary and the Culture Secretary represented the Government at last night's final."

Asked whether the Prime Minister's absence from Wembley reflected his attitude to the women's game, the spokesman added: "I think the public will judge the Government on the support it has given to women's football.

"This is a Government that has stood steadfastly in terms of supporting the women's game and investing in it.

"The Prime Minister has been supporting the team throughout and was watching the game with his family at home."

When asked if Mr Johnson would back damehoods for the team, the spokesman said that the PM will "definitely" want the Lionesses to receive "the recognition they rightly deserve".

Mr Johnson arrived at Harmony Hill Presbyterian Church on Monday afternoon for the funeral of peace process architect David Trimble.

The president of Ireland Michael D Higgins and DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson were also in attendance at the church in Lisburn.