Live: The latest as Boris Johnson resigns – and sparks Tory leadership race

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:

3.04pm

Journalist Jane Merrick says Mr Johnson has just spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

3.02pm

Tory MP and Boris Johnson loyalist Daniel Kawczynski said the events of the last few hours have been “devastating”.

Mr Kawczynski, who was in Downing Street when the Prime Minister delivered his speech, told Sky News: “When you remove your team captain, when you remove the leader of your party, that is a dramatic moment I think for any parliamentarian.

“I thought he was a very good leader. He delivered Brexit. He got us the largest majority that we’ve had since 1987. And he was implementing a real leadership on our continent, probably better than any other European leader, in terms of standing up to Russian aggression and dealing with other crises.”

Asked about the controversies that have dogged Mr Johnson’s administration in recent weeks, he said: “Undoubtedly, mistakes have been made. But leaders, all great leaders, do make mistakes periodically and have to be held to account for those mistakes.”
“Of course, there’s a debate about what happened with Mr Pincher, what was subsequently agreed, and why ultimately he was allowed to remain in Government,” Mr Kawczynski acknowledged.

“Mr Pincher has let down himself, he has let down the parliamentary party, and he has contributed to the precipitation of the removal of the leader of the Conservative Party.”

3.01pm

New Education Secretary James Cleverly said he is looking forward to engaging with the sector to “realise people’s potential”.

In a statement following his appointment to the role, he said: “As someone whose grandfather was a teacher and whose children are currently in the education system, I am incredibly passionate about education and proud to be appointed Secretary of State.

“From childcare and exams results, to our Schools White Paper, T Levels and the rest of our revolutionary skills agenda, we have a huge amount of work to do and I am looking forward to getting on with the job. That means ensuring children, young people and their families continue to be supported – they have my full commitment.

“I look forward to engaging with our brilliant nurseries, social workers, schools, colleges, universities and all the staff working across these sectors to realise people’s potential – whatever their backgrounds or wherever they come from.”

2.48pm

Labour MP Chris Bryant said Mr Johnson could put the “country’s security and economy at risk” if he takes too long to relinquish power.

Mr Bryant told the PA news agency: “He hasn’t resigned so far, he said he’s going to resign later on this year.

“It’s now in the hands of the Conservative Party to decide how long that is going to take, if it is going to be a few days, OK, maybe he can stay.

“If it is going to be months he cannot stay, because that puts the country’s security and economy at risk because he will be a completely lame duck prime minister.

“I think we either have a new prime minister by the end of next week or there will certainly be a vote of confidence in the House of Commons.

“The whole of the Tory party are to blame for this, they put him in there and they took ages and ages to get to this point, even when he was clearly breaking every rule going.”

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.”

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”.

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.

1.43pm

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

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.

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.”