London, July 24: Indian-origin lawmaker Priti Patel was on Wednesday appointed as the Home Secretary in the new United Kingdom government headed by Boris Johnson. The announcement was made shortly after Johnson officially took over as the Prime Minister of the UK. PM Modi Wishes Boris Johnson, Hopeful of Strengthening India-UK Relations In His Tenure

Patel, a multi-term MP representing the Witham constituency in Essex since 2010, had earlier served as the International Development Secretary between 2016-17.

Patel would be replacing Sajid Javid as the Home Secretary. The latter, who was in the prime ministerial race, has been tasked with heading the Finance Ministry. The Pakistan-origin Muslim would be replacing Philip Hammond, who resigned in protest against the election of Johnson as the PM.

Notably, Patel, who has been entrusted with the critical Home department, was a core supporter of Johnson's leave campaign ahead of the 2016 Brexit referendum.

Patel, 47, has supported Johnson's bid for an early Brexit. The new British PM, immediately after taking oath, reiterated that the UK will exit the European Union by October 31. Softening his stance from "with or without a deal", Johnson claimed that he would succeed in negotiating a deal with the EU before leaving the conglomerate.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 25, 2019 12:07 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).