After downfall, Boris Johnson receives Churchill books as parting gift

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi and Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey attend a Cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street, London, Britain July 19, 2022. Stefan Rousseau/Pool via REUTERS

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson held his last scheduled cabinet meeting on Tuesday, receiving first editions of books by wartime leader Winston Churchill on World War Two as a parting gift.

The meeting was held on the hottest day in British history, after Johnson was criticised by the opposition for failing to attend emergency meetings set up to discuss the heatwave response.