Foreign politicians, celebrities and Twitter users were incredulous, amused and a little worried, after Britain’s new Prime Minister Theresa May appointed foul-mouthed Boris Johnson as her new top diplomat and the head of spy agency MI6.
The former mayor of London has a long track record of making racist, vulgar and insensitive comments about foreign leaders, such as when he labelled Papua New Guineans "cannibals," or when he wrote a poem about the president of Turkey having sex with a goat. Johnson has also compared Hillary Clinton to "a sadistic nurse in a mental hospital," and once suggested that Barack Obama has an "ancestral dislike" of the U.K. because he is "part Kenyan."
Prime Minister May appointed Johnson as Foreign Secretary on Wednesday, giving the former "Brexit" crusader a key role in his country's exit from the European Union. That might prove a difficult task for Johnson, who as recently as last May compared the EU's unification goals to those of Napoleon Bonaparte and Adolf Hitler.
Some foreign politicians offered the usual congratulations following Johnson's appointment, but others were not so enthused.
In the U.S., for instance, State Department spokesperson Mark Toner cracked an amused smile when he was informed of the appointment by a reporter at a news conference.
WATCH: @StateDept Deputy Spokesman @toner_mark react to @BorisJohnson's appointment as Foreign Secretary.https://t.co/7Fu6OW1jSx
— CSPAN (@cspan) July 13, 2016
Carl Bildt, the former prime minister of Sweden, said on Twitter that he wishes the appointment was a joke.
I wish it was a joke, but I fear it isn't. Exit upon exit. pic.twitter.com/8qmlSkQNRj
— Carl Bildt (@carlbildt) July 13, 2016
Jean-Marc Ayrault, France's foreign minister, said in a French radio interview that Johnson "told a lot of lies" during the Brexit campaign, adding: "Now it is him who has his back against the wall."
British television showed footage on Wednesday of a sign posted on a fence in Johnson's neighbourhood, which read: "Sorry world."
Boris Johnson's neighbour put out a sign to apologise to the world. pic.twitter.com/fjkWlGZAyM
— Markus Popp (@mpopp75) July 13, 2016
A number of celebrities also sounded off on the appointment. "Phew!" tweeted Ricky Gervais. "Just when Britain was starting to become a laughing stock around the world, Boris Johnson is appointed foreign secretary."
"Please tell me the Boris thing is not true," tweeted Lily Allen. "I can't even."
Cher attacked Johnson in a string of mostly-capitalized tweets, including one in which she mocks him and former Australiam PM Tony Abbott as "Twiddle Dumb and Twiddle Dumber."
@BigDollarRich IN…THEY’D BE TWIDDLE DUMB & TWIDDLE DUMBER‼️
— Cher (@cher) July 14, 2016
IN UK…THEY’RE TWIDDLE TOSSER & TWIDDLE WANKER‼️ pic.twitter.com/nQUg4LKH7k
@NickJWReilly Think He’s
— Cher (@cher) July 13, 2016
F-ing Idiot who lied to British ppl
& Didnt have the⚽️2 LEAD
THEM ONCE “LEAVE”VOTE WON‼️..anymore questions
Many Twitter users wondered if the Johnson appointment was an example of British humour.
Boris Johnson appointed foreign secretary. A clear sign that the Brits did not lose their sense of humour after all.
— Jan Paul van Soest (@janpaulvansoest) July 13, 2016
I honestly thought that Boris Johnson announcement was satire. Huh.
— Lexi Alexander (@Lexialex) July 14, 2016
Glasgow has spoken on Boris Johnson. pic.twitter.com/4zJhQ76jVx
— Paul (@HastieP) July 14, 2016
Boris Johnson's living proof that: if at first you don't succeed.. Blame foreigners, quit & keep dying your hair blonde. The World is Yours!
— Mr Gee 诗人 (@mrgeepoet) July 14, 2016
Others noted that Johnson, in his new role, will also be in charge of MI6, the British Secret Intelligence Service. "If James Bond were real," one person pointed out, "He'd take orders from Boris Johnson."
Boris Johnson is now IN CHARGE OF MI6. *lets that settle, holds everyone*
— Emma Kennedy (@EmmaKennedy) July 13, 2016
I don't want to prematurely startle anyone but Boris Johnson is now in charge of MI6 #007 #JamesBond pic.twitter.com/QJdjqNvVcE
— (((Jase S Goldy))) (@Goldy1970) July 14, 2016
Breaking News: MI6 reacts to Boris Johnson being appointed their boss #SMERSH? pic.twitter.com/AX6vczMtJp
— Mark Stephens (@MarksLarks) July 13, 2016
Boris Johnson is now responsible for MI6 and GCHQ, let alone foreign relations. I don't think I have ever been so worried for this country.
— Sabrina Mahfouz (@SabrinaMahfouz) July 13, 2016
Boris Johnson is in charge of MI6.
— Scott Townsend (@scottyt77) July 13, 2016
Boris Johnson is James Bond's boss.
This is worse than Quantum of Solace.
Boris Johnson being in charge of Mi6 makes sense, if the world were an Austin Powers movie.
— Kristi Colleen (@KristiColleen) July 13, 2016
Boris Johnson will now have close ties with MI6. No wonder Daniel Craig stepped down as James Bond.
— World of Bow (@Bow2k) July 14, 2016
As if Boris Johnson is James Bond's new boss
— Aedan (@Aedan97) July 13, 2016
Some Brits claimed they will move to Canada now that Johnson is in power, echoing a promise some have made in the U.S., if Donald Trump is elected president.
Boris Johnson is Foreign Secretary??? Can I move to Canada pls
— Granny Smith (@ellarusbridger) July 13, 2016
Oh great Boris Johnson is our new foreign secretary?
— King George (@thekingpleb) July 13, 2016
brb moving to canada
Just when you think it couldn't get any worse Boris Johnson is now foreign secretary. I want to move to Canada.
— Melissa Paul (@_Mellll) July 13, 2016