Johnson, preparing to resign, appoints new ministers

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson walks at Downing Street, in London, Britain, July 6, 2022. REUTERS/John Sibley

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, expected to resign in just over an hour, started appointing new ministers to his cabinet on Thursday, including a third education secretary in three days.

Johnson, who has been forced to step down after his ministers and Conservative lawmakers quit or withdrew their support, appointed Greg Clark as 'levelling up' secretary and James Cleverly to the post of education minister.

Reflecting the turmoil playing out at the heart of British power, Johnson had moved Nadhim Zahawi from education secretary to run the finance ministry on Tuesday night. By Wednesday Zahawi had told Johnson to quit and by Thursday he went public with that call.

A view of 10 Downing Street, where British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to make a statement, in London, Britain, July 7, 2022. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls

The prime minister also appointed Michelle Donelan as minister for education, to replace Zahawi, on Tuesday evening, but she had quit by Thursday morning, saying Johnson needed to go.

(Reporting by Muvija M and William James; writing by Sachin Ravikumar; Editing by Kate Holton and Michael Holden)