Boris Johnson has publicly announced his resignation as Conservative Party leader, blaming MPs for ousting him under a “herd” mentality.
The markedly bullish speech saw Mr Johnson outline his intention to step down as Prime Minister in the autumn, as he lashed out at Tory MPs for forcing his hand.
Speaking directly to the public from Downing Street, as Theresa May did in 2019, he was flanked by his No 10 staffers, his wife Carrie Johnson and their youngest child nine-month-old Romy and longstanding allies, such as Nadine Dorries and Jacob Rees-Mogg.
Mr Johnson confirmed that the process to appoint a new leader has begun, with the timetable to be announced next week.
Speaking directly to voters, he said: “Thank you for that incredible mandate the biggest Conservative majority since 1987, the biggest share of the vote since 1979.
“The reason I have fought so hard these past few days… 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.”
He added that “I am immensely proud of the achievements of this Government” and went on to list Brexit, the vaccine rollout and the rapid response to the Ukraine war.
Mr Johnson then appeared to lash out, and said: “In the last few days I have tried to convince my colleagues it would be eccentric to change leader when we are delivering so much, when we have such a vast mandate and when we’re only a couple of points behind in the polls.”
He said he “regrets not to have been successful in those arguments.”
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“It’s painful not to be able to see through so many projects myself,” Mr Johnson adds. “But as we’ve seen at Westminster the herd instinct is powerful.
“When the herd moves, it moves.”
Mr Johnson concluded his speech by thanking his wife and his children for their support.
Lastly, he thanks the British public for the “immense privilege that you have given me”.
The PM concluded: “Even if things seem dark now, our future together is golden.”
He is applauded again by MPs and his family as he walks back into No 10.
It comes just hours after he spoke with Tory 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady and agreed to stand down.
The Prime Minister is planning to remain in No 10 until the Conservative party conference in October, when a new Tory leader will be elected and formally take office.
But this suggestion has already come under intense criticism from Tory MPs, who are demanding Mr Johnson leaves immediately and a caretaker PM is appointed.
Mr Johnson is already understood to have appointed a full replacement Cabinet, having suffered from just under 60 Government resignations this week.
Greg Clark has been appointed to replace Michael Gove as Levelling Up Secretary, while Kit Malthouse has become Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
The full list of new appointments is expected to be announced later today.
This story is being updated…