New UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is a liar who has “his back against the wall”, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said in an unexpected statement.
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However, on Wednesday, Cameron’s successor, Theresa May, appointed the former mayor of London and one-time journalist as her foreign secretary.
Britain’s governing Conservative Party was bitterly divided by last month’s European Union membership referendum, and appointments by May – who campaigned for Remain – were seen as concessions to the party’s pro-Brexit camp.
While those voting Leave may be delighted, the pound isn’t and moments after the announcement, sterling set a new intraday low at 1.3155.
Amber Rudd took Mrs May’s old position as Home Secretary, while Michael Fallon was kept on as Defence Secretary.
“When it comes to opportunity, we won’t entrench the advantages of the fortunate few, we will do everything we can to help anybody, whatever your background, to go as far as your talents will take you”, Mrs May said.
He was criticised this year for describing U.S. president Barack Obama as a “part-Kenyan” who harboured an “ancestral dislike” of Britain.
Johnson is one of Britain’s most recognizable politicians with his blond mop-top hair, bumbling manner and tendency to drift into Latin during speeches.
Thursday’s front pages are dominated by Theresa May’s first day as Prime Minister. After the “leave” campaign scored a surprise victory in the June 23 referendum, he seemed well positioned to succeed David Cameron as prime minister.
He said the decision to vote for Brexit would mean Britain would leave the EU’s tariff-free single market, and it would then have to negotiate a new deal as a trading partner rather than a member.
Reacting to the comments, Mr Johnson said it was “inevitable there will be some plaster coming off the ceilings in the chancelleries of Europe”.
New UK Prime Minister Teresa May’s appointment of Johnson as foreign secretary has attracted a negative response from across Europe.
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The US State Department was among the first to offer its congratulations to the former Mayor of London, saying it was was looking forward to working with him. May has indicated she does not intend to do that this year.
