Dominic Raab appointed new Brexit minister

World
Europe

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday appointed Dominic Raab as the new Brexit secretary after his predecessor David Davis quit in protest over the government's plans for a close trading relationship with the European Union.

"The Queen has been pleased to approve the appointment of Dominic Raab MP as Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union," May's Downing Street office said in a statement.

Anti-Brexit protesters demonstrate with placards and EU flags against Britain's exit from the European Union outside the Houses of Parliament in London on July 4, 2018. /VCG Photo

Raab previously served as Minister for Housing and Planning since January 2018 after holding the portfolio of Minister for Courts and Justice as well as serving as a cabinet member of Theresa May.

Former Brexit Secretary David Davis has resigned because he was not willing to be "a reluctant conscript" to Prime Minister Theresa May's European Union exit plan, delivering a blow to a British leader struggling to end divisions in her cabinet, Reuters reported on Monday.

Davis, 69, was a surprise appointment to May's cabinet when she took power in 2016, shortly after British voters voted in favor of leaving the European Union.

David Davis leaves from 10 Downing Street in central London on April 25, 2018./VCG Photo

He took on the most senior ministerial role in the newly created Department for Exiting the European Union and was tasked with negotiating an exit deal with Brussels and a future relationship with the bloc.

May heads a minority government which has only a slim majority in parliament thanks to a deal with a smaller party.

The leader of Britain's Labour party, Jeremy Corbyn tweeted on Monday saying Davis' resignation "shows Theresa May has no authority left and is incapable of delivering Brexit".

Theresa May speaks to members of her cabinet at the Prime Minister's rural country residence, Chequers, west of London on July 6, 2018. /VCG Photo

The Conservatives are deeply split over the outcomes of Brexit Britain should be pursuing, which has made passing any laws preparing for Brexit difficult for the government.

The opposition, Labour party said Dominic Raab's appointment by Theresa may "changed nothing".

"The deep division at the heart of the Conservative Party has broken out in public and plunged this government into crisis," said shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer, according to a BBC report published on Monday.

(Cover: Dominic Raab leaves 10 Downing Street in Westminster, London, Britain, July 9, 2018. /VCG Photo)

(With inputs from news agencies)