Boris Johnson resigns as UK's foreign secretary

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British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson resigned on Monday during a major blow with Prime Minister Theresa May, hours after her Brexit minister stepped down over her plans for leaving the EU.

"This afternoon, the prime minister accepted the resignation of Boris Johnson as foreign secretary," May's Downing Street office said in a statement. "His replacement will be announced shortly. The prime minister thanks Boris for his work."

In private, Johnson had reportedly criticized May's plan for retaining strong economic ties to the EU even after Brexit, referring to the plan as "polishing a turd." However, since cabinet approval for the plan on Friday, he had refrained from public comment.

Britain's Brexit Minister David Davis leaves 10 Downing Street in central London after attending the weekly cabinet meeting, June 5, 2018. /VCG Photo

He was due to co-host a summit on the Western Balkans in London on Monday but did not show up. Germany's junior foreign minister Michael Roth tweeted: "We're still waiting for our host."

Johnson became the third minister in 24 hours to walk out of the government rather than back May's plans for a soft Brexit. His resignation follows that of the Brexit secretary, David Davis, and his No. 2 at the Department for Exiting the EU, Steve Baker.

May appointed Dominic Raab as the new Brexit secretary to replace Davis on Monday.

Johnson, 54, was appointed the British foreign secretary in July 2016 after May became the prime minister following the Brexit referendum. He was the mayor of London from 2008 to 2016.

(With inputs from AFP)

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