This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

Philip Hammond has been appointed chancellor of the exchequer and Boris Johnson foreign secretary as Theresa May allocated the top posts in her cabinet on her first evening as prime minister.

Hammond, who was foreign secretary, was the first to be appointed and replaces George Osborne, who was fired from the government, Downing Street announced.



The second major appointment – and a much more unexpected one – was Johnson as foreign secretary.



The former mayor of London played a major role in the leave camp during the EU referendum, and was the initial favourite to succeed Cameron, only for his leadership bid to end abruptly when his key Brexit ally, Michael Gove, stood against him.

Another significant appointmentwas Amber Rudd, the former energy secretary, promoted to home secretary in place of May herself, having only entered parliament in 2010.

Johnson said nothing to reporters as he left Downing Street to head for the Foreign Office. After Hammond left, he made the short trip to the Treasury, to meet his new team. Downing Street said more jobs would be announced soon.

Having left Downing Street via a back entrance, Osborne later sent a tweet saying:

George Osborne (@George_Osborne) It's been a privilege to be Chancellor these last 6 yrs. Others will judge - I hope I've left the economy in a better state than I found it.

In another tweet he paid tribute to his old boss:

George Osborne (@George_Osborne) A sad, moving day to see my great friend @David_Cameron leave