She created a new department called “Exiting the European Union” and gave key cabinet portfolios to leading lights of the Brexit camp, including Johnson, David Davis and Liam Fox. Britain’s new Prime Minister Theresa May set about building her team to implement the Brexit vote, making a clean break from the past, but her appointment of Boris Johnson as foreign secretary evoked much mirth and moans in European capitals and elsewhere. Newspapers recalled that last week May had ridiculed Johnson’s negotiating skills in Europe by recalling her quote: “Boris negotiated in Europe. Asked if he was surprised by the appointment, he told French radio: “I don’t know if it surprised me. He is up against it to defend his country and also so that the relationship with Europe is clear,” Ayrault added.

Source: Hindustan Times July 14, 2016 13:07 UTC