Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he ''strongly objected'' to the Israeli government's plans for annexation of part of the West Bank which he said ''would amount to a breach of international law.''

The PM was quizzed by MP Crispin Blunt in the Commons  on Tuesday on the ''values that would underpin global Britain'', which the Tory MP said were being given ''an immediate test'' by ''our ally Israel''.

In response the PM said: ''I believe that what is proposed by Israel would amount to a breach of international law and we strongly object.

''We believe profoundly in a two-state solution and will continue to make that case.''

Earlier Mr Johnson had told MPs that plans to merge the Foreign Office and International Development departments were "a big step forward for global Britain".

But while Mr Blunt, a long-term critic of Israel, said he welcomed the merger he said: ''In two weeks' time our ally, Israel, is going to annex elements of the occupied Palestinian territories, a grave breach of international law.

''Surely we must try to divert them from that propect with real sanctions if they breach international law.''