Mr Johnson appeared to make the announcement inadvertently when he was challenged by energy worker Claire Cartlidge during a visit to a fabrication plant in Middlesbrough.
UMnu Johnson ubonakale enza lesi simemezelo engahlosile ngesikhathi ephonswa inselelo yisisebenzi samandla uClaire Cartlidge ngesikhathi evakashele indawo okwakhiwa kuyo izindwangu  eMiddlesbrough.