Boris Johnson backs 'all-out ban' on ivory sales

Foreign secretary confirms government's pledge, despite absence from manifesto

A total ban on ivory sales in the UK could still be introduced by the British government, foreign secretary Boris Johnson has said, signalling a possible U-turn that has been welcomed by conservationists.

In their 2015 manifesto the Conservatives promised to "press for a total ban on ivory sales". But the pledge was quietly taken out of this year's Tory manifesto, sparking anger among conservation organisations, which say that by allowing the trade to continue, the UK is fuelling elephant poaching.