Philip Hammond today became Britain’s new finance minister while Boris Johnson, the former London mayor who spearheaded the “Leave” campaign in European Union referendum, was appointed foreign secretary in Prime Minister Theresa May’s new government.
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Mr Johnson also revealed that US Secretary of State John Kerry called him.
“The dinner and its timing is starting to look awkward”, one European Union diplomat said.
French foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault esch-ewed the customary diplomatic niceties to ask how a man who had told lies as leader of the Leave campaign in last month’s British EU referendum could be a credible interlocutor. “There won’t be a dinner on Sunday evening”.
Controversy over Johnson’s appointment overshadowed the first day of May’s premiership, which brings some stability after three tumultuous weeks following the European Union vote.
Yvette Cooper, the former Labour Cabinet minister, has suggested that Boris Johnson has been sent to the Foreign Office so that Theresa May will have “someone to blame” if the Brexit negotiations hit the rocks.
On Monday, Johnson is expected to sit down in a formal day-long meeting with his EU peers, with issues on the agenda ranging from EU-China ties to migration policy in Africa.
“At this incredibly important time that will determine Britain’s economic and cultural relations with Europe”, Farron said.”It is extraordinary that the new prime minister has chosen someone whose career is built on making jokes”, Farron said.
The internet was soon awash with tales of the former London mayor’s most controversial foreign insults and gaffes.
Germany’s Handelsblatt called Johnson a “political jester”, the daily Sueddeutsche labeled his appointment an example of “British humor”, while the French L’Obs newsmagazine’s headline was simply “King of the Blunder”. Given the division of labour, Johnson may actually not have much to do, since the Foreign Office has already been downsized over the years. “I don’t know if it surprised me”, he said. He concluded, however, that she should become president, “not because we necessarily want her for herself, but because we want Bill in the role of first husband. But I know it’s not good when irresponsibility is rewarded in politics”.
Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said he could not believe Johnson will now represent Britain overseas. Before that, he had both American and British nationalities.
“Shocked and saddened by the appalling events in Nice, and the bad loss of life”, Johnson, the former London mayor, said on Twitter.
May won the leadership battle and quickly sacked Gove, who is now seen as treacherous by many Conservatives.
The choice of Johnson as Foreign Secretary has raised eyebrows both at home and overseas.
Analyst Ian Bond of the Center for European Reform believes Prime Minister May’s political honeymoon is likely to be short.
He said: “I set out what I think we need to be doing and what we need to be focusing on, and that is reshaping Britain’s global profile and identity as a great global player”.
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Hammond was one of Prime Minister Theresa May’s first appointments, and one of his immediate tasks was to take to the airwaves in hopes of offering calming tones of reassurance to the markets and the general public about the economy.
