Following that, Mr Mercer said Mr Johnson - who was prime minister at the time - phoned him up to express confusion about the announcement. Johnny Mercer (Image: Mark Marlow/PA)Mr Mercer said that the prime minister said to him: "Johnny, what the f*** is going on. A year later, Mr Johnson would resign after numerous scandals involving his government including 'Partygate' but not before appointing Mr Mercer minister of state for veteran's affairs. READ MORE: TV star defends emotional Boris Johnson, 62, after death tributeReacting to the anecdote on X, members of the public displayed little sympathy for Mr Johnson. Max Cownie said: "Boris Johnson was incompetent?