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Tuesday, July 10, 2018, 10:02
British PM reshuffles cabinet amid Brexit turmoil
By Xinhua
Tuesday, July 10, 2018, 10:02 By Xinhua

In this image grab from TV, Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May gives a statement in the parliament, July 9, 2018. (PHOTO / PARLIAMENTARY RECORDING UNIT / AP)

LONDON - British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday night carried out a mini-reshuffle of cabinet as she appointed four secretaries following the resignation of former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson. 

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt was named Monday night as Britain's new foreign secretary, replacing Johnson who resigned a few hours earlier. 

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt will replace Boris Johnson as Britain's new foreign secretary

The Culture Secretary Matt Hancock replaced Hunt. Attorney General Jeremy Wright was named as Hancock's replacement as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, while Geoffrey Cox was appointed as Attorney General attending Cabinet. 

ALSO READ: Brexit crisis: After Davis and Baker, Johnson also quits UK govt

Queen Elizabeth approved all of the appointments, Downing Street said. 

May vowed to fight any challenge to her leadership after a day of high drama at Westminster. 

First, her chief Brexit minister David Davis resigned from her cabinet, followed by the resignation of one of her top ministers, Johnson, hours later. 

They resigned over May's proposals for a soft Brexit, which Davis said did not deliver what people voted for in the 2016 national referendum when the majority of people in Britain opted to leave the European Union. 

READ MORE: What does UK political turmoil mean for May's govt, Brexit?

The changes came as May reshaped her top team while she prepares to publish a government white paper, spelling out her proposals for a Brexit deal with the European Union. 

Political commentators said May had placed some of her most loyal ministers into the top jobs in a signal that it is business as usual for her government. 

The appointments may also head off the prospect of a challenge to May's leadership. 

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