Boris Johnson quits saying 'I'm giving up the best job in the world'

7 July 2022, 08:32 | Updated: 7 July 2022, 13:01

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson makes a statement in Downing Street

Boris Johnson has resigned after months of scandals and a torrent of Tory resignations clearing the way for a new Tory leader and Prime Minister this autumn

In an address outside No10, the defeated PM finally announced his "painful" decision to quit after conceding he could no longer cling on.

Follow today's dramatic developments LIVE on Global Player

Mr Johnson, watched by wife Carrie Symonds and a crowd of MPs and staffers, Mr Johnson said: "It is clearly now the will of the parliamentary Conservative Party that there should be a new leader of the party and therefore a new prime minister.

"He said he will serve until a new leader is in place."We must keep levelling up, keep unleashing the potential of every part of the United Kingdom."He said that in politics, no one is "remotely indispensable," adding "our brilliant and Darwinian system will produce another leader".He said he was giving up "the best job in the world."

Earlier on a day of great political drama, Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis was the first to go with his departure was soon followed by a string of other ministers as the number of MPs quitting government and party posts since Tuesday evening topped 50.

Then newly-appointed Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi called for the PM to go, telling him: "You must do the right thing and go now."

The government has been left paralysed due to the mass resignations.

Follow all the developments in our live blog here

Happening Now