Boris Johnson most senior minister while PM is away

Boris Johnson is currently the most senior duty minister in Whitehall. Credit: Niklas Halle’n / PA Wire

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is currently the most senior duty minister in Whitehall while Theresa May is on holiday, Downing Street has said.

Johnson takes over from Chancellor Philip Hammond who was the senior duty minister last week when the Prime Minister began her annual walking holiday in Switzerland.

However, a Number 10 spokesman stressed that Mrs May still remains in charge of the government even though she is out of the country.

The Prime Minister is very much in charge and is constantly kept abreast of what is going on.

– Number 10 spokesman