Boris Johnson has resigned as leader of the Conservative Party. Once a new leader is chosen, he will also step down as Prime Minister.
Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, he said that it was “will of the parliamentary Conservative party” that he resign.
More than 50 MPS have resigned from his government amid anger over his handling of the Chris Pincher scandal. The resignations included Rushcliffe’s Ruth Edwards from her position as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Scotland office.
Boris Johnson has appointed a new cabinet today. He will continue to lead it until a new leader of the Conservative Party is chosen in the autumn.
Mr Johnson admitted that he would have liked to continue in the role. He said he had “tried to convince [his] colleagues it would be eccentric to change governments when we are delivering so much, when we have such a vast mandate and when we’re only a couple of points behind in the polls.
“I want you to know how sad I am to be giving up the best job in the world”, he added. “But them’s the breaks.”
