Boris Johnson began putting together his top team as he prepared to take over as Britain’s prime minister on Wednesday, on a mission to deliver Brexit by October 31 by any means necessary.
The former London mayor, a divisive figure best known for his gaffes and rhetorical flourishes, was elected on Tuesday by members of the governing Conservative party to be their next leader.
He will be formally named as prime minister during a visit to Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.
With just over three months before Britain is due to leave the European Union, the 55-year-old has no time to lose and is expected to swiftly announce his cabinet and advisers.
His first move was to appoint as a top aide Dominic Cummings, the Brexit campaign chief in the 2016 EU referendum, in which Johnson played a leading role.
May resigned after failing to get her plan for leaving the EU through parliament, forcing her to twice delay Britain’s departure date.
Johnson has vowed to renegotiate her deal or take Britain out of the bloc at the next deadline, October 31, without a deal.
But the EU refuses to reopen the text, while some of his own MPs say they would rather bring down his government than accept a damaging “no deal” exit.
The pound barely moved on Wednesday, with investors keen to see whether he pushes ahead with a no-deal divorce.