Boris BANNED from cycling over fears foreign secretary role makes him key terror target

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Boris Johnson has been banned from cycling in public

The foreign secretary, who was famed during his time as London mayor for going everywhere by bike, has been told by the police he is now too vulnerable. 

Mr Johnson introduced the capital’s public cycle hire scheme – dubbed Boris Bikes – to encourage more people to cycle to work. 

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But his high-profile cabinet position, coupled with his divisive role in the Brexit campaign, means the situation is now too dangerous for him to cycle in public. 

Instead the foreign secretary has taken up jogging in St James’ Park, near parliament, where his minders can more easily protect him. 

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The foreign secretary could be a target for Islamist terrorists

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Mr Johnson is well known for getting around the capital by bike

A friend of his told the Sun: “Boris loves cycling, he used to go everywhere on a bike while he was mayor, so being told he can no longer do this is a real irritation or him.

“He pushed back, but the coppers were adamant and he accepts he makes quite a recognisable target.

“He is now working on other ways to burn off all those big diplomatic dinners.”

In response a Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said: “We do not comment on ministers’ personal security arrangements.”

The cycle ban apparently contributed to the foreign secretary’s decision to move from his family home to a grace and favour apartment in Carlton Gardens overlooking Buckingham Palace.

As mayor, Mr Johnson could often be seen cycling to and from the family home in Islington, north London, to City Hall, which is next to Tower Bridge. 

He was also seen entering Downing Street in his cycling helmet for meetings with then prime minister David Cameron. 

As London’s chief the Tory veteran oversaw the expansion of London’s cycle network, including the role out of ‘cycle superhighways’ of separated lanes connecting Westminster with Blackfriars and Oval with Pimlico.

The projects have been popular with cyclists, but some angry motorists have accused Mr Johnson of causing longer traffic jams in the city.