Boris Johnson resigned his post as British foreign secretary Monday, citing disagreements with Prime Minister Theresa May over the U.K.’s Brexit strategy.
His departure comes just hours after ‘Brexit secretary’ David Davis also resigned, adding to the embattled May’s political troubles. Davis felt Britain was capitulating too much to the European Union in Brexit negotiations.
“I’m worried that what the European Union will do is simply take what we’ve offered and ask for more or wait for more,” Davis told the BBC in an interview after his resignation, adding that he thinks Britain should be “tougher” on the E.U.
Reports said May had tapped Brexit supporter Dominic Raab to take over for Davis.
Johnson was a loud voice for the pro-Brexit contingent, and his departure puts pressure on May to abandon her current Brexit negotiating stance.
“Theresa May’s government is in meltdown,” said the Labour Party’s deputy leader, Tom Watson. “This is complete and utter chaos. The country is at a standstill with a divided and shambolic government. This prime minister can’t deliver Brexit and has zero authority left.”
Bravo @BorisJohnson. Now can we please get rid of the appalling @theresa_may and get Brexit back on track.
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) July 9, 2018
Johnson’s decision was applauded by outspoken Brexit supporter and former leader of the U.K. Independence Party Nigel Farage, who called for getting rid of the “appalling” May and “getting Brexit back on track” in a Monday tweet.