
This is how @angelaeagle reacted the moment she found out Boris Johnson was the new foreign secretary #reshufflehttps://t.co/1MPy3BsdHB
— Press Association (@PA) July 13, 2016
If you’re questioning the decision of appointing a man who insults the US President to the Foreign Office, you’re not alone.
The decision of new PM Theresa May to appoint Boris Johnson to the prestigious post took many commentators aback.
And Angela Eagle was one of them.
During the referendum campaign, the Labour leadership challenger had attacked Boris for lying about the amount of money Britain sent to the EU. Giving a speech on Wednesday night, the Labour leadership challenger again singled Boris out for criticism.
She began: “Oh Boris, he’s fun, he’s great isn’t he, bouncing around, going to be the next Prime Minister…”
Then someone shouted that he’d just been appointed Foreign secretary – and struck Eagle speechless.
In fact, there was no need for her to speak. The expression on her face said it all.
But Eagle wasn’t the only senior politician to be taken aback by the appointment.
On the other side of the pond, US State Department spokesman Mark Toner appeared to stifle a laugh when told.
He went on to say: “We’re always going to be able to work with the British, no matter who is Foreign secretary.”
He added: “We look forward to engaging with Boris Johnson.
“This is something that goes beyond relationships, beyond personalities.”