Boris Johnson news LIVE: PM WILL remain during transition period as he resigns moments after appointing new cabinet
BORIS Johnson has officially resigned – but he will continue to run Government as the quest for a new prime minister begins.
The PM has quit as Tory leader after ministers and MPs made clear his position was untenable, with support crumbling around him in recent days.
But during his resignation speech, Mr Johnson will remain as Prime Minister until a successor is in place, expected to be by the time of the Conservative Party conference in October.
The embattled leader said he sought to stay Prime Minister because he felt it was his “obligation” to continue to do what the Tories promised in 2019.
“I want to say to the millions of people who voted for us in 2019, many of them voting Conservative for the first time, thank you for that incredible mandate, the biggest Conservative majority since 1987, the biggest share of the vote since 1979.
“And the reason I have fought so hard in the last few days to continue to deliver that mandate in person was not just because I wanted to do so, but because I felt it was my job, my duty, my obligation to you to continue to do what we promised in 2019. And of course, I’m immensely proud of the achievements of this Government.”
Downing Street appointed Greg Clark as the new Levelling Up Secretary, replacing Michael Gove who was sacked by Mr Johnson on Wednesday, while James Cleverly has been made Education Secretary.
Robert Buckland has been appointed Secretary of State for Wales, following the resignation of Simon Hart.
Kit Malthouse will be the new Chancellor for the Duchy of Lancaster, the most senior minister in the Cabinet Office after the Prime Minister.
It came after nearly 60 Tory MPs – including a slew of Ministers today – resigned in protest at the PM’s battered leadership, which has spiralled since the Chris Pincher scandal.
Read our Boris Johnson live blog below for the latest up-to-date news…
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PM has made ‘the right’ decision
Boris Johnson has finished his speech, and we finally hear from Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.
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Boris Johnson QUITS ‘best job in the world’
In front of a packed Downing Street he thanked his supporters and the millions who voted for him but said: “My friends, in politics, no one is remotely indispensable.”
He said he was “immensely proud of the achievements of this government” such as Brexit and the vaccine rollout.
Carrie Johnson held their daughter Romy as she gathered in Downing St with the PM’s loyalists.
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‘Being Prime Minister is an education in itself’
Boris ended his speech saying: “Being Prime Minister is an education in itself – I’ve travelled to every part of UK and I’ve found so many people possessed of such boundless British originality and so willing to tackle old problems in new ways.
“Even if things can sometimes seem dark now, our future together is golden,”
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‘The heard has moved and when it does it moves quickly’
Boris Johnson claimed that the “heard has moved quickly” referring to all those that have resigned.
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“Our future together is golden”
Boris has thanked everyone as he states that “our future together is golden” as he will remain serving until a new PM is found.
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Boris has taken the time to thank staff at NO 10 that are out standing with him.
He said this is one group that “never leave”.
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We will continue to level up
We must keep levelling up, keep unleashing the potential of every part of the United Kingdom, Johnson continues.
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Boris will continue to serve until a new leader is found
Boris has claimed he will serve until a new leader has been found.
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Timetable for new leader next week – Boris
Boris Johnson says the process of choosing the new leader should begin now and the timetable will be announced next week.
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Boris addresses Ukrainians
The people of the UK will continue to “fight” for Ukraine’s freedom.
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It has been my “duty to continue to do what I have promised to do” Boris has claimed.
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The ‘will of the party’
It is the “will of the party” that there should be a new Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said.
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Boris Johnson makes his way to the podium
Boris Johnson is now giving his speech.
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Boris speech just moments away
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The podium is out
The podium has been placed outside of NO 10.
Boris will begin speaking shortly.
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Boris will make his statement shortly
Not long now until Boris will make his resignation statement.
It is expected he will begin his speech at 12:30pm.
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Andrew Stephenson appointed
Andrew Stephenson has been appointed Minister without Portfolio.
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Shailesh Vara appointed
Shailesh Vara has been appointed as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
He replaces Brandon Lewis, who resigned from the post today.
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‘It’s been like a Salem witch-hunt’
Allies of Boris Johnson have claimed that he was swept out of office by a ‘hysteria’ gripping the party.
No10 insiders told Mail+: “The Tory party has gone totally schizo. Every so often they get a mania and that’s what’s happened here.
“It’s been like a Salem witch-hunt or when a hysteria sweeps through a girls’ school. Read herd thinking stuff.
“In the end the boss was left with no alternative but to fold the tent.”
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Robert Buckland appointed
Robert Buckland has been appointed as Secretary of State for Wales.
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Boris to make statement at 12:30
Just 30 minutes until Boris Johnson is expected to make his statement.
He is set to come out of NO 10 at 12:30.
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Douglas Ross says Boris has ‘finally made the right decision’
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Kit Malthouse appinted Chancellor for the Duchy of Lancaster
Kit Malthouse becomes Chancellor for the Duchy of Lancaster, the most senior minister in the Cabinet Office, after the PM.
