BORIS Johnson offended his hosts during a trip to New Zealand yesterday, after comparing the traditional Maori to getting a headbutt in Glasgow.

The Foreign Secretary, in the land of the long white cloud on a Brexit trade mission, took part in a “hongi” greeting in which two people connect foreheads, and touch noses.

“I think it’s a beautiful form of introduction,” said Johnson. “Though it might be misinterpreted in a pub in Glasgow if you were to try it.”

The Foreign Secretary is on a nine-day international tour that sees him head to Australia next.

Both of the Commonwealth countries are viewed as key allies by the Government and sources have said Johnson is “keen to see deals taking shape”.

Johnson is no stranger to headbutts. In 2006 during a charity football match he knocked over Maurizio Gaudino with a diving headbutt to the former German international player’s groin.