Johnson says his comments about U.S. envoy were a factor in his resignation

Boris Johnson, a leadership candidate for Britain's Conservative Party, appears on BBC TV's The Andrew Neil Interviews, in London, Britain July 12, 2019. Jeff Overs/BBC/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. NOT FOR USE MORE THAN 21 DAYS AFTER ISSUE.

LONDON (Reuters) - Boris Johnson, frontrunner to be Britain's next prime minister, denied he was responsible for the resignation of the ambassador to Washington but admitted his comments had been a factor in the shock departure of one of the country's most senior diplomats.

The former London mayor has been heavily criticised by lawmakers in his own party and the opposition for failing to defend Kim Darroch after Donald Trump attacked the envoy for leaked remarks describing the U.S. administration as inept.