Ex-No 10 adviser Sir Mark Lyall Grant denies 'mansplaining' to Theresa May
The former UK's top diplomat to the UN says a claim he spoke to the PM in a patronising way was "not a report I recognise".
Monday 16 October 2017 13:12, UK
The UK's former national security adviser has denied he "mansplained" situations to Theresa May.
Sir Mark Lyall Grant, who stood down in April, insisted he had a good working relationship with the Prime Minister but admitted there had been some tensions with Mrs May's political advisers.
When asked about reports he was guilty of "mansplaining" - talking down to a woman in a patronising way - Sir Mark told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "No, it's not a report that I recognise, and she wouldn't recognise either."
He said that while there had been tensions, they were the kind of tensions that occur in such a high-level environment.
The Eton-educated, ex-British ambassador to the UN added: "I had a very good relationship with David Cameron. I had a very good relationship with Theresa May. Obviously, when you work in Downing Street there are tensions.
"And there were some tensions, I have to say, with some of her political advisers in Downing Street, who are no longer in Downing Street now.
"And that can lead to some tensions. But, no, my job was to speak truth unto power. My job was to give the best possible advice I could and I always did that."
Reports emerged late last year saying that Mrs May was frustrated by Sir Mark's behaviour during meetings. He is said to have talked over her.
He was appointed by David Cameron in 2015, having previously been the UK's top diplomat at the United Nations for six years.
Asked whether the tensions resulted in him standing down, the 61-year-old said: "No. I was always planning to leave this year, and I did leave this year."
Talking about the consequences of a hard border in Northern Ireland, if no deal can be reached after Brexit, he said it "could potentially be serious for security".
But he said he believed the UK, the Irish Republic and the EU are committed to resolving the issue.
He added that he saw no reason why it would not be possible to reach a post-Brexit deal on security issues with European countries as the UK was a major player in defence and intelligence.