Boris Johnson has resigned as Conservative leader in the face of a mass exodus of Government ministers.

In a statement outside Number 10, he said the process of choosing a new leader “should begin now”.

He intends to remain in No 10 until his successor is elected, but he faces resistance to that plan from within his own party and the Opposition.

Here are the latest developments in the downfall of Mr Johnson:

2.46pm

The new Northern Ireland Secretary said it is a “huge privilege” to take up the role.

Shailesh Vara replaces Brandon Lewis, who resigned early on Thursday.

2.44pm

These are strong words from Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald.

2.37pm

Tory Robert Largan declined to back comments from former prime minister Sir John Major that it would be “unwise and may be unsustainable” for Mr Johnson to remain in office while a new Conservative Party leader is elected.

Appearing on Sky News, the MP said: “There isn’t really a constitutional mechanism to remove a prime minister beyond replacing them as leader of the Conservative Party.

“Any decent prime minister would not want to put the Queen into a position where she is dragged into party politics.”

He said that, instead, a leadership contest should be held “as soon as possible”, with the first round of ballots to be finished by next week and party members given a say on the final two candidates by the middle or end of July.

Mr Largan also said he is backing Tom Tugendhat to be the next leader.

2.33pm

Most Britons – and Tory voters – believe Mr Johnson has made the right decision, according to a snap poll.

2,062 adults were surveyed.

2.27pm

Former prime minister Sir John Major said it would be “unwise and may be unsustainable” for Boris Johnson to remain in office while a new Tory leader is elected.

In a letter to Tory 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady, Sir John said: “The proposal for the Prime Minister to remain in office – for up to three months – having lost the support of his Cabinet, his Government and his parliamentary party is unwise, and may be unsustainable.

“In such a circumstance the Prime Minister maintains the power of patronage and, of even greater concern, the power to make decisions which will affect the lives of those within all four nations of the United Kingdom and further afield.

“Some will argue that his new Cabinet will restrain him. I merely note that his previous Cabinet did not – or could not – do so.”

Former prime minister Sir John Major
Former prime minister Sir John Major (PA)

Sir John suggested Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab could be an acting prime minister until a new leader was elected.

Or he said Tory MPs could elect the new leader who would become prime minister, with party members then asked to endorse the decision.

Sir John said: “Neither of these options is ideal, but the interests of the country must be given priority over all else and, with so many long-term and critical issues before us, an imaginative response even at the risk of some bruised feelings within the party – is most definitely in the national interest.”

2.21pm

Sir Robert Buckland said he was “here to help”, after taking up a post in Cabinet.

He also said Mr Johnson will not have the authority to do “new” things in government.

The new Welsh Secretary defended his decision to join Mr Johnson’s new-look caretaker Cabinet, stressing he felt the need to “help and serve”.

Robert Buckland has been appointed Welsh Secretary
Robert Buckland has been appointed Welsh Secretary (Jonathan Brady/PA)

He said: “I felt it was right that I did that now. The issue about the Prime Minister and his character has been settled. He no longer has the confidence of the Conservative Party. He is resigning. That is right. But the business of government goes on. I’m here to help.”

Sir Robert said he would not have accepted a position on Wednesday, but the fate of the PM is “now dealt with”.

“He did the right thing and resigned. He changed the circumstances by rightly resigning,” he said.

Describing himself as a “team player”, Sir Robert said there is no such thing as an interim prime minister in the British system of government.

“This Prime Minister no longer has the political authority to do new things,” he said.

2.17pm

Newsreader and TV presenter Dan Walker gets the feeling “this isn’t over” for Mr Johnson yet.

2.15pm

Former prime minister Sir John Major has written to the chairman of the Tory 1922 Committee to say it would be “unwise” for Mr Johnson to remain in office while his successor is chosen.

He suggests either an interim premier or a streamlined election process would be “in the national interest”.

2.09pm

Labour MP Dawn Butler says the appointment of an interim Cabinet is “ridiculous”.

2.08pm

The new Secretary of State for Wales has declined to rule out running to replace Mr Johnson.

Robert Buckland said: “What I’m focusing on is values. I talk a lot about One Nation politics. I’ve always been a one nation Conservative, moderate Conservative.”

Pressed on whether he had leadership ambitions, he said: “I will support a One Nation candidate. I woke up this morning not expecting to be a Cabinet minister, so I’ve learnt to expect the unexpected in politics.”

2.05pm

Ukrainian investigative journalist Danylo Mokryk says his compatriots will remember Mr Johnson’s support in light of Russia’s war.

In a follow-up tweet, he added: “The support ultimately emanates from and depends on the UK people, we know that.”

2.01pm

Here’s how Mr Johnson made his announcement earlier this afternoon:

1.55pm

Tory MP Damian Green has given the clearest indication yet that Tom Tugendhat will run to replace Mr Johnson.

Mr Green, an old ally of former prime minister Theresa May, told Sky News he will be backing the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in any leadership contest.

“I think we need a fresh start. And, in particular, we need to restore trust in government, not just in this Government or a Conservative government, but in the way we do government more widely. I think having somebody who’s not in the Cabinet… I think that’s an advantage.”

Asked if Mr Tugendhat is definitely running, he said: “I hope so, otherwise I wouldn’t be saying this. So, yes, I think you can, you can take it that Tom is going to run.”

1.51pm

Journalist and broadcaster Piers Morgan, known for his forthright opinions, has unsurprisingly had his say on Mr Johnson’s speech.

1.46pm

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who had called on Mr Johnson to step down and wants him to go now, has been pictured at Wimbledon with his wife Victoria.

Wimbledon 2022 – Day Eleven – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club
(Steven Paston/PA)

1.43pm

Some MPs and well-wishers gathered in Downing Street to hear the Prime Minister speak outside No 10.

Boris Johnson resignation
(Beresford Hodge/PA)

1.41pm

Ireland’s Foreign Affairs Minister said the Irish Government “stands ready” to work with a new British prime minister.

Simon Coveney tweeted: “The Irish government stands ready to work with a new UK PM on protecting our shared achievements in the peace process and our shared responsibility under international law on Brexit.

“Let’s start with getting a government in Stormont. I wish Boris Johnson and his family well.”

1.30pm

Theresa May’s premiership was also beset by a string of ministerial departures.

POLITICS Johnson
(PA Graphics)

1.25pm

Theresa May was asked if she would be prepared to act as a caretaker prime minister following Boris Johnson’s resignation.

But the former PM said: “I don’t think there’s going to be a caretaker prime minister in the sense of somebody else coming into that role.”

After making a speech in London, Mrs May was also asked what she wants to see in a new PM.

She said: “I would want to see somebody who wants to concentrate on healing division, who wants to unite the country and unite the party.

“This is so important going forward.

“I am concerned when I look at some other countries and the polarisation of politics in the United States, for example.

“I think that we need to ensure that we avoid going down that very polarised route of politics and society.”

1.20pm

Boris Johnson paid tribute to his family and supporters during his resignation speech, watched by his wife Carrie – who had their daughter Romy with her.

Boris Johnson resignation
Carrie Johnson and daughter Romy joined ministers including Nadine Dorries and Downing Street staff to watch her husband’s speech (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

1.15pm

Boris Johnson’s successor as Tory leader and Prime Minister faces significant challenges, taking the helm as the UK is engulfed in a cost-of-living crisis which has the potential to plunge the economy into recession, and a gloomy international picture as Russian’s brutal invasion of Ukraine continues.

Closer to home, they will have to reunite a fractured Conservative Party and attempt to rebuild support among voters.

POLITICS Johnson
(PA Graphics)

1.10pm

The likely candidates to replace Boris Johnson:

1.05pm

Potential contenders for the Tory leadership have called for the party to reunite following Boris Johnson’s resignation.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, seen as a leading contender in the race to replace him, said the party now needs “unity”.

She tweeted: “The PM has made the right decision.

“The Government under Boris’s leadership had many achievements – delivering Brexit, vaccines and backing Ukraine.

“We need calmness and unity now and to keep governing while a new leader is found.”

Tom Tugendhat said the party needs a “clean start”.

He tweeted: “Right call by Boris Johnson to resign. Delivered Brexit, rolled out the vaccine and led on Ukraine.

“Now we need a clean start.”

1pm

An adviser to the Office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Boris Johnson for his support for the country in the face of Russian aggression.

Mykhailo Podolyak 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, Mr Podolyak 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.”

12.55pm

Boris Johnson vowed to support the next leader, as he acknowledged some people will be “relieved” to see him go.

He said his successor’s priorities will be “helping families to get through… cutting burdens on businesses and families, and, yes, cutting taxes because that is the way to generate the growth and the income we need to pay the great public services”.

He added: “To that new leader, whoever he or she may be, I say: ‘I will give you as much support as I can’.”

He thanked his wife and family “who have had to put up with so much for so long”, and he also thanked the “peerless British civil service” and the “fantastic NHS” who “helped to extend my own period in office”.

He said it had been an “immense privilege” to serve as Prime Minister, and he thanked the British public as he concluded his speech.

Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson resigned in a statement outside 10 Downing Street (James Manning/PA)

12.53pm

Addressing the people of Ukraine, Boris Johnson said “we in the UK will continue to back your fight for freedom for as long as it takes”.

At home, he said “we’ve been pushing forward a vast programme of investment in infrastructure and skills and technology, the biggest in a century”.

He added: “Because if I have one insight into human beings, it is that genius and talent and enthusiasm and imagination are evenly distributed throughout the population, but opportunity is not, and that’s why we must keep levelling up, keep unleashing the potential of every part of the United Kingdom.

“If we can do that in this country, we will be the most prosperous in Europe.”