Boris Johnson resigns as Foreign Secretary in major Brexit blow to Theresa May

• Boris Johnson quits as foreign Secretary over the prime minister's handling of Brexit.
• Johnson failed to turn up for an important European summit he was due to host in London.
• Johnson has increasingly distanced himself from the government on the issue over recent months.

LONDON - Boris Johnson has resigned as Foreign Secretary.

"This afternoon, the Prime Minister accepted the resignation of Boris Johnson as Foreign Secretary," a spokesperson for May said."His replacement will be announced shortly. The Prime Minister thanks Boris for his work," 

Eyebrows were raised after Johnson failed to appear at the Western Balkans Summit in London, which he was due to host.

"We're still waiting for our host," tweeted German Europe Minister Michael Roth.

Johnson reportedly told his Cabinet colleagues at their meeting at Chequers last week that the Brexit policy put forward by Theresa May was akin to "polishing a turd."

He has previously privately told friends that a soft Brexit would "rather stay in the EU" than accept a soft Brexit

His departure follows that of the Brexit Secretary David Davis, who resigned on Sunday night and has thrown the prime minister into the biggest crisis of her premiership.

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