Britain's new Prime Minister Theresa May has surprised the world by appointing Boris Johnson as the UK's new Foreign Secretary. Mr Johnson is the controversial former Mayor of London. He led the campaign for Britain to leave the European Union and is now Britain's top diplomat. Mr Johnson has a record of being very undiplomatic to world leaders. He once said Hillary Clinton was a "sadistic nurse in a mental hospital". He compared Russia's Vladimir Putin to a Harry Potter creature. He also made racist comments about African countries and Papua New Guinea.
A British newspaper said Mrs May, "had managed to unite the international community in bewilderment by her appointment of Boris Johnson". France's foreign secretary said Mr Johnson lied to the British people. Journalists in Germany wondered whether British politics was becoming a farcical comedy show. The Washington Post asked how Mr Johnson could become Britain’s top diplomat after offending much of the world. Mr Johnson ignored comments about him not being the right person for the position. He said his job was to reshape Britain as a "great global player".