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File photo of outgoing British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson
London(ANN)-Boris Johnson has resigned as British foreign secretary, becoming the third minister in 24 hours to quit the government rather than back Prime Minister Theresa May’s strategy for Brexit.
“This afternoon, the Prime Minister accepted the resignation of Boris Johnson as Foreign Secretary,” May’s Downing Street office said in a statement on Monday hours after Brexit minister David Davis stepped down.
“His replacement will be announced shortly. The prime minister thanks Boris for his work,” the statement said.
In private, Johnson had reportedly criticized May’s plan for maintaining strong economic ties to the European Union even after an official exit from the bloc.
Since the cabinet approved the plan on Friday, however, Johnson had refrained from public comment.
The top diplomat was expected to co-host a summit on the Western Balkans in London on Monday, but failed to show up.
As the public face of the “Leave” campaign, Johnson’s resignation will deepen the sense of crisis around the prime minister, and increase the chances that she could face a vote of no confidence.
This video grab from footage broadcast by the UK Parliament shows Prime Minister Theresa May addressing lawmakers, July 9, 2018. (Via AFP)
Shortly after the departure, May addressed Parliament about her new Brexit plan, saying she did not agree with Jonson and Davis about “the best way to honor” the result of the 2016 referendum.
“We do not agree about the best way of delivering our shared commitment to honoring the result of the referendum,” May said
May and EU leaders have been reluctant to address the possibility that the UK and the block might fail to reach a deal on Brexit.
Failure to reach a deal could imperil the EU’s budget, as well as the rights of EU citizens living in the UK.
This story will be updated…
Source: Presstv.com