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As it happened: Boris Johnson resigns

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Updates from the day when Mr Johnson quit as Tory leader, but pledged to stay on as PM until his successor is elected

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Johnson staying boosts Putin, says York MP

Boris Johnson and Rachael Maskell in the Commons. Photograph: Screengrab

York Central MP Rachael Maskell has given her reaction to Boris Johnson’s decision to resign as Conservative Party leader while staying on for now as Prime Minister.

The Labour MP says he should quit as PM immediately – partly because him staying discredits war-torn Ukraine. She told David Dunning on YorkMix Radio :

The reason he needs to leave is not just about who deals with the crises as they arise, whether it’s the economic or social crisis we’re seeing across the country, but on a global scale.

We’re living in a troubled world at the moment. With his reputation so damaged, the fact that he’s standing with Zelensky [Volodymyr Zelensky, president of Ukraine] is giving Putin a passport in order to exploit and discredit Zelensky.

So on that world stage, the Prime Minister needs insight into the impact that him remaining in office is going to have.

‘Thanks Boris Johnson’, says an adviser to Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the Office of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, tweeted: “To be a leader – to call Russian evil an evil and to take responsibility in the hardest times. To be a leader – to be the first to arrive in Kyiv, despite missile attacks.

“Thanks Boris Johnson for realising the threat of Russian monster and always being at the forefront of supporting Ukraine.”

In a video posted with the tweet, he spoke to the camera and added: “Today we have everything we need for the effective defence of the country: weapons, partnership and coalition, and thanks to Mr Johnson, we understand that victory is a real symbol of the future in Ukraine … we are extremely grateful to our partners, Mr Johnson, for the opportunity to do our work effectively.”

Johnson: ‘I was pushed out by the herd instinct’

Photograph: James Manning / PA wire

Boris Johnson said his arguments to stay in power were rejected due to a “herd instinct” at Westminster and said it was “painful” not to be able to deliver on his plans.

He said: “In the last few days, I tried to persuade my colleagues that it would be eccentric to change governments when we’re delivering so much and when we have such a vast mandate and when we’re actually only a handful of points behind in the polls, even in midterm after quite a few months of pretty relentless sledging and when the economic scene is so difficult domestically and internationally.

“I regret not to have been successful in those arguments and of course it’s painful not to be able to see through so many ideas and projects myself.

“But as we’ve seen, at Westminster the herd instinct is powerful, when the herd moves, it moves.

“And my friends in politics, no one is remotely indispensable and our brilliant and Darwinian system will produce another leader, equally committed to taking this country forward through tough times.”

‘Them’s the breaks… no one is remotely indispensable’

Boris Johnson delivers his resignation speech outside 10 Downing Street. Photograph: James Manning / PA wire

Mr Johnson told the British public: “I want you to know how sad I am to be giving up the best job in the world, but them’s the breaks.”

He acknowledged that “in politics, no one is remotely indispensable” as he announced his resignation as Tory leader.

He had tried to persuade his Cabinet it would be “eccentric” to change Prime Minister now but “I regret not to have been successful in those arguments”.

The outgoing Prime Minister said he was “immensely proud of the achievements of this Government”, from getting Brexit done to getting the UK through the pandemic, and leading the West in standing up to Putin’s aggression in Ukraine.

Johnson: ‘I wanted to stay’

Boris Johnson 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.”

Boris Johnson: ‘I will serve as PM until a new Tory leader is in place’

Boris Johnson addresses the British people. Photograph: Screengrab

Boris Johnson is addressing the nation.

He said it is “clearly now the will” of the parliamentary Conservative Party that there should be a new leader.

Announcing his resignation in Downing Street, he said: “It is clearly now the will of the parliamentary Conservative Party that there should be a new leader of that party and therefore a new prime minister.

“And I’ve agreed with Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of our backbench MPs, that the process of choosing that new leader should begin now and the timetable will be announced next week.

“And I’ve today appointed a Cabinet to serve, as I will, until a new leader is in place.”

A live feed from Downing Street

The lectern is in place…

The lectern put in place outside Downing Street. Photograph: Screengrab

Not long now. The Prime Ministerial lectern has been put in place outside 10 Downing Street.

The expectation is that Boris Johnson will say he’s stepping down as Conservative leader but stay as PM while a new leader is put in place.

York Liberal Democrats: ‘PM has abused the trust and patience of the British people’

Cllr Carol Runciman. Photograph: York Liberal Democrats

Carol Runciman, York’s executive member for health and adult social care, has been speaking on behalf of the city’s Liberal Democrats.

This is what she said:

It is good news that Boris Johnson has finally accepted that it is time for him to go for the sake of our country. Johnson may be going but his legacy will leave a stain on the Conservative Party that can’t be removed. The public won’t forget that Conservative MPs have for years backed and defended him, supported his divisive agenda and failed to tackle the urgent problems facing our country.
 
The events of the last few months will leave a lasting mark on our democracy and history. The outgoing PM has abused the trust and patience of the British people, attacked our democratic institutions and tarnished our international reputation.  
 
At this time of unprecedented national and international crisis, the unacceptable and ridiculous political theatre that has taken place during Johnson’s premiership will be remembered as a highly alarming episode in our country’s history.
 
It would be thoroughly unacceptable for him to stay in No 10 a minute longer. He must leave now and let whoever is left in this shambolic Government try to focus on many of the major issues facing our country.

Statement expected from Boris Johnson imminently

Boris Johnson’s statement is expected at around 12.30pm.

He is expected to address the nation from a lectern in front of Downing Street.

York MP Julian Sturdy: ‘Leave Downing Street this week, Prime Minister’

Boris Johnson, with York Outer MP Julian Sturdy, at the Rustic Baking stall at York Station in November 2021. Photograph: Rustic Baking Co on Facebook

York Outer MP Julian Sturdy has never been a fan of Boris Johnson, and has been an outspoken critic of the PM for much of his tenure.

Unsurprisingly, he has welcomed Mr Johnson’s decision to resign – and is urging him not to hang about.

This is his statement today:

I am relieved the Prime Minister has accepted that the only way to bring stability to Government is his resignation.

It is the best decision for the country, and we can now begin the process of rebuilding public trust and refocusing on the major challenges facing the country.

Given these pressures, I would urge the Prime Minister to leave Downing Street this week, allowing his Deputy Prime Minister to lead Government while the Conservative Party leadership election takes place.

New Education Secretary appointed – after predecessor lasted 35 hours

James Cleverly. Photograph: BBC

Downing Street has been appointing new ministers in the wake of news that Boris Johnson was to quit as PM.

Greg Clark is the new Levelling Up Secretary, replacing Michael Gove who was sacked as one of Johnson’s final decisions.

James Cleverly has been appointed Education Secretary. He replaces Michelle Donelan, who herself was only appointed on Tuesday to replace Nadhim Zahawi when be became chancellor.

That means she lasted about 35 hours in the job.

And Kit Malthouse is the new Chancellor for the Duchy of Lancaster, the most senior minister in the Cabinet Office after the Prime Minister.

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‘Bring it on!’ York Labour’s Pete Kilbane wants an election now

Cllr Pete Kilbane. Photograph: York Labour Group

Pete Kilbane, the deputy leader of York Labour Group, is naturally delighted that the Conservative Prime Minister is leaving office.

This is what he told David Dunning on YorkMix Radio today:

The whole thing has been a total fiasco for months – and even now the Conservative Party seem intent on dragging out the agony for another another two months.

Essentially, it seems that what the Conservative Party and Boris Johnson are mainly interested in is the Conservative Party – rather than getting on with running the country and helping people out.

David asked Cllr Kilbane if he would welcome a quick General Election. He said:

Bring it on. I think the country needs a change and we’re ready for it.

It would be great to give people that opportunity for a total fresh start, ditch this self serving elite who are just running the country in their own interests, and try and concentrate on the real people who need support and assistance to see us through the current cost of living crisis and the coming recession.

‘Evict today or he’ll cause carnage’ says Dominic Cummings

Boris Johnson’s former advisor Dominic Cummings wrote on Twitter: “Evict TODAY or he’ll cause CARNAGE, even now he’s playing for time & will try to stay

“No ‘dignity’, no ‘interim while leadership contest’.

“Raab shd be interim PM by evening.”

More York voters react to Boris Johnson quitting as PM

Here are some more York responses to the news today that Mr Johnson will resign as PM.

Listen: Former York Tory leader says ‘utterly disgraced’ Johnson should quit as PM immediately

Chris Steward

David Dunning at YorkMix Radio has been talking to Chris Steward, a former Conservative leader of City of York Council. He didn’t hold back – here are a few highlights:

Thank goodness he’s finally gone. My only hope now would be that he does go straight away, and we have an interim leader, rather than he drags it out until the autumn he leaves the office, utterly disgraced, utterly embarrassed and humiliated.

We’ve had good prime ministers and bad prime ministers, but he has been absolutely unfit for office. And it’s a great shame that he has been in power, allowed to stay in power – and now the Conservative Party has to start rebuilding.

And Chris doesn’t rate Mr Johnson’s fabled election-winning ability:

Boris Johnson’s election winning capabilities are massively over egged. He won two elections as London mayor when I do agree that he had a big impact and made that possible.

Apart from that he won the 2019 election when he was up against Jeremy Corbyn, people had to deal with Brexit one way or another. That was what that election was about. I think any Conservative would have won that election, maybe not with the same number of seats.

I do not believe that Boris Johnson is a proven election winner. We have of course been told over recent months that he is a proven election winner as he’s lost by-election after by-election with swings that we’ve never ever seen in history.

Listen to the full interview here:

‘Total collapse of government’ – Shadow culture secretary

Speaking in the Commons, Labour shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell said there is “paralysis and a total collapse of Government” with “parliamentary business on hold”.

Speaking at Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport questions, Ms Powell said: “I’m not surprised at all to see the Secretary of State (Nadine Dorries) still in her place. I had no doubt whatsoever that she would be the last woman standing supporting the Prime Minister while all around her collapses, including her own ministerial team.

“I did wonder, though, whether by this morning not only would she hold all the ministerial offices in her own department, but several other Cabinet posts as well.”

‘He was always unfit for office’ – Labour leader

Labour leader Keir Starmer during a visit to a pensioners drop-in session in Wakefield ahead of local elections. Photograph: Danny Lawson / PA wire

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: “It is good news for the country that Boris Johnson has resigned as Prime Minister.

“But it should have happened long ago.

“He was always unfit for office. He has been responsible for lies, scandal and fraud on an industrial scale.

“And all those who have been complicit should be utterly ashamed.

“The Tory party have inflicted chaos upon the country during the worst cost-of-living crisis in decades. And they cannot now pretend they are the ones to sort it out.

“They have been in power for 12 years. The damage they have done is profound.

“Twelve years of economic stagnation. Twelve years of declining public services. Twelve years of empty promises.

“Enough is enough. We don’t need to change the Tory at the top – we need a proper change of government.

“We need a fresh start for Britain.”

Boris always drew a crowd on visits to York

Boris Johnson campaigns for Brexit in York in May 2016. Photograph: Richard McDougall

Boris Johnson has visited York on a number of occasions, always drawing a crowd and grabbing the headlines.

Here are a few of the stories we have covered involving the man who is about to quit as PM.

He came here in May 2016 on the Brexit campaign trail:

Video: Boris Johnson in York – Told off for ‘talking rubbish’ before taking on an egg-thrower

The following year the then Foreign Secretary was spinning at the University of York after the General Election debate between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn.

In July 2019, the Boris Johnson roadshow returned to York as he took on Jeremy Hunt in the Conservative Party leadership hustings at the Barbican.

Pictures: Boris Johnson hits York – and takes on Jeremy Hunt in battle to be Prime Minister

In 2020 he didn’t come in person but sent his representatives to York after he proposed moving the House of Lords to the city:

House of Lords ‘to move to York’, under audacious Boris Johnson plan

He passed through the city via York Station with York Outer Conservative MP Julian Sturdy in November last year:

Pictures: ‘Was he looking for Eton Mess?’ Boris Johnson calls at York Station cake stall

And he’s also visited North Yorkshire. He met officers on a trip to the county’s police HQ in Northallerton in July 2020:

Boris Johnson visits North Yorkshire Police – Pictures

And he was in Selby talking all things railways in 2021:

Boris Johnson is in Selby – to defend rail plan that critics have called ‘a betrayal of the North’

York’s David Davis urges caution over replacement

File photo from2016 of Boris Johnson (left), then Foreign Secretary and now Prime Minister, and David Davis. Photograph: Gareth Fuller / PA wire

Veteran Tory MP David Davis, who was born in York, has urged fellow MPs and former Government ministers to be cautious about seeking to quickly replace Boris Johnson as Prime Minister or to try block him from performing a caretaker role until a new Conservative leader is chosen.

The former Cabinet minister told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “My concern is not for Boris or even Boris’ views.

“My concern is to pick the most straightforward way through this change we have to do and every way we pick has got problems, but the one of waiting until you have got a new leader provides the least problems.”

No word from the Queen

Buckingham Palace declined to comment on whether the Queen has had any communication with Boris Johnson on Thursday morning, PA reports.

The Queen is at Windsor Castle and the Court Circular recorded that she held her weekly audience by telephone with Mr Johnson on Wednesday evening.

The first local reaction is in

York politicians have been reacting to the resignation of the Prime Minister.

This from City of York Council executive member for finance and major projects Nigel Ayre:

And this is former York council Conservative leader Chris Steward:

More than 50 resignations forced him to go

Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau / PA wire

The resignation comes after the Prime Minister haemorrhaged support among his ministers and MPs.

More than 50 MPs have resigned from government or party roles since Tuesday night, when the mass exodus was triggered by the resignations of Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid from the Cabinet.

The Prime Minister had sought to defy his critics and carry on in office, despite warnings from Cabinet colleagues that this was not sustainable.

But resignations continued and Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi – who was only appointed to the role on Tuesday – went public with his call for the Prime Minister to quit.

The timetable for the Tory leadership contest will be agreed between the 1922 Committee, which runs the parliamentary proceedings to whittle the candidates down to two, and Conservative headquarters.

But critics of the Prime Minister suggested he should not be allowed to remain in office until the autumn.

George Freeman, who quit as science minister on Thursday morning, said that now Mr Johnson had “finally done the decent thing” he should “hand in the seals of office, apologise to Her Majesty, allow her to appoint a caretaker under whom ministers can serve, so the Conservative Party can choose a new leader properly”.

Latest: Boris Johnson is to resign as Prime Minister

Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Photograph: Justin Tallis / PA wire

Boris Johnson is quitting as Tory leader after ministers and MPs made clear his position was untenable.

He will remain as Prime Minister until a successor is in place, expected to be by the time of the Conservative Party conference in October.

A No 10 source said Mr Johnson spoke to Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the Conservative 1922 Committee, to inform him of his decision.

“The Prime Minister has spoken to Graham Brady and agreed to stand down in time for a new leader to be in place by the conference in October,” a No 10 source said.