London, July 24 (RHC)-- In the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson has been sworn in as prime minister, pledging to deliver a swift Brexit and spending his first full day in office packing his Cabinet with hard-line Brexiteers.

Speaking outside 10 Downing Street in London, Johnson raised the prospect of a so-called hard Brexit, dismissing the concerns of many who predict a no-deal withdrawal from the European Union would be a disaster for the British economy.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “And to all those who continue to prophesy disaster, I say, yes, there will be difficulties, though I believe that with energy and application, they will be far less serious than some have claimed.”

Meanwhile, Johnson’s first day as prime minister was marked by massive street protests. Thousands marched through Central London despite a scorching heat wave, and activists from Greenpeace briefly blocked the new prime minister from reaching Buckingham Palace to meet with the Queen, by forming a human chain in the path of his motorcade.   The demonstration was quickly dispersed by police.