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'The secretary of state, Boris Johnson said that...'

It has always been my understanding that there would be a comma again after Boris Johnson, but I've just read it in The Telegraph and therefore I assume it's correct? If so, it doesn't follow any comma usage rule that I know so could someone elaborate?

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  • Drop both the comma and the initial The ................ especially in a journalistic context.
    – Gary's Student
    Commented Nov 8, 2017 at 15:03
  • You're right; without an added comma, the sentence is incorrect (unless you also drop "the").
    – Greg Lee
    Commented Nov 8, 2017 at 15:36
  • Please first quote what you actually did read in The Daily Telegraph - noting that difference.
    – Robbie Goodwin
    Commented Nov 12, 2017 at 21:56

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You are correct. A comma should be used after Johnson. A good rule of thumb for appositives is that if they can be removed without changing the sentence they should be placed inside commas. Boris Johnson can be removed.

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