Boris Johnson Resignation RECAP: Johnson resignation speech | PM statement blames 'herd' | Leadership contest

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Follow here live for all the news coming out of Downing Street on Thursday.

The Prime Minster has announced he will step down from office.

Follow here for all updates.

Boris Johnson Latest News LIVE: Pressure falls on the Prime Minister to step aside as number of resignations rise

Key Events

  • Boris Johnson to resign, but remain caretaker until the autumn to allow a leadership contest.
  • He is due to give a statement to the country today.
  • Over 50 ministers have resigned over the last day after sexual assault allegations emerged involving the Deputy Chief Whip.
  • Foreign Secretary Liz Truss cutting short trip to G20 meeting in Indonesia - will make statement

Loud applause for him.

Admits that the party want a new leader, and a new prime minister.

“I want to say to the millions of people who voted for us in 2019...thank you for that incredible mandate... the biggest share of the vote sinse 1979”

He adds that he believed it was his obligation to the people that led him to stay in his position for so long.

“Let me say now to the people of Ukraine, I know that we in the UK will continue to back your fight for freedom for as long as it takes.”

Not a particularly emotive speech - similar vibe from previous, though spoken with some passion.

“Of course its painful not to be able to see through so many ideas and projects myself.

“In politics, nobody is indespensible.”

“To that new leader, I say, I will give you as much support as I can.”

“I want you to know how sad I am to be giving up the best job in the world.

“But thems the breaks”

He then thanks his family and the civil service.

Booing and jeering in the background, along with some cheers.

Starting to sound rather like an Oscar speech - everyone getting a thank you.

Has repeated that he will continue to serve until the next Prime Minister is in place.

“Being Prime Minister is an education in itself.”

“I know that even if things can sometimes seem dark now, our future together is golden.”

He is now back in Downing Street and the lecturn is being taken away. It is done.

A lot to take away, and much analysis will take place over the next few days.

The main points are that he is reluctant to give up his job, and he expects to stay on until the autumn.

What was also telling was the lack of personal responsibilty that the Prime Minsiter took over the events that led up to this moment.

He is clearly very annoyed with the party for turning against him.

It would appear that the party aren’t necessarily impressed...

The ‘herd instinct’ comment in the PMs speech - that the party followed a herd instinct to get rid of him - appears to be going down like a lead balloon. It will be interesting to see how this manifests.

James Daily MP on the BBC now. Not impressed. “Nothing to do with herd instinct...a lot of good people who decided what was the best for their constituents and the rest of the country”.

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