After months of turmoil, and scandal after scandal Boris Johnson has announced his resignation as UK prime minister after less than three years in Number 10
Speaking from Downing Street, he thanked the millions of people who voted for him at the last election and explained why he had tried to hang onto his job in recent days.
Johnson said it was “painful not to see it through”, but added: “No one in politics is remotely indispensable.”
Johnson confirmed the process to appoint a new leader would begin now, with a timetable set out next week.
Johnson’s decision was seemingly made fore him, after more than 50 government ministers and aides resigned in just a matter of days.
But the outgoing PM will remain Britain’s ‘caretaker’ until his successor is chosen.
As Johnson seemingly clings onto power, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has expressed his frustration, saying his party will call a no confidence vote if the prime minister doesn’t go immediately.
In a meeting with his newly-appointed cabinet, Johnson said the interim leadership team will leave the ‘major fiscal decisions’ to the next prime minister and the government.
Ou UK Correspondent Simon Anderson has more from Downing Street.
