Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May and former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson
Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May was a "little surprised" by Boris Johnson's resignation as foreign minister, after he had agreed to her new Brexit plan last week, she said in a letter to Johnson on Monday.
Johnson quit on Monday over Prime Minister Theresa May's plan for Brexit, warning in his resignation letter to May that the United Kingdom would end up like a colony of the European Union after Brexit.
British Prime Minister Theresa May appointed Jeremy Hunt as foreign minister on Monday after predecessor Boris Johnson resigned in protest at the government's plans for a close trading relationship with the European Union.The appointment of Hunt, the long-serving health minister, sees a close May ally replace the maverick Johnson, and could alter the Brexit balance of May's top ministerial team.While Johnson was one of the most high-profile Brexit campaigners, Hunt backed "Remain" during the 2016 referendum campaign.Hunt told LBC Radio in October 2017, however, that he had changed his mind on the issue, in part because of what he said was disappointing "arrogance" in the EU's behaviour during negotiations.Last month, Hunt said it was inappropriate for businesses like Airbus to issue warnings about moving jobs because of Brexit and that they should instead be getting behind May in her push for a good deal on leaving the EU."Huge honour to be appointed Foreign Secretary at this critical moment in our country’s history," he said in a tweet after his appointment."Time to back our PM to get a great Brexit deal - it's now or never..."Hunt, 51, had served as health minister for more than 5-1/2 years, the longest term of any in the history of the state-funded National Health Service, weathering doctors' strikes, public discontent with funding levels and other challenges.Hunt said it was a "massive wrench" for him to leave the department, adding: "I know some staff haven’t found me the easiest Health Sec".Matt Hancock replaced Hunt as health secretary, while Attorney General Jeremy Wright was appointed as minister of digital culture, media and sport, Hancock's old job.May's office said Geoffrey Cox would be the new attorney general.
UK PM May appoints Jeremy Hunt as new foreign minister
"I am sorry - and a little surprised - to receive (the letter) after the productive discussions we had at Chequers on Friday, and the comprehensive and detailed proposal which we agreed as a cabinet," May said in her reply to Johnson.
"If you are not able to provide the support we need to secure this deal in the interests of the United Kingdom, it is right you should step down."