A number 10 source has said that Johnson has spoken to Tory 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady and agreed to stand down, with a new Tory leader set to be in place by the party conference in October.
After resignation upon resignation from his own ministers and trashing the highest office in the land with every minute he occupied it, Boris Johnson will finally resign as Prime Minister today.
A number 10 source has said that Johnson had spoken to Tory 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady and agreed to stand down, with a new Tory leader set to be in place by the party conference in October.
Johnson is expected to make a statement later today.
News of a resignation letter being prepared comes after Johnson’s new education secretary Michelle Donelan and Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi called on Johnson to go.
Both Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid quit the cabinet on Tuesday night, leading to a wave of resignations.
There is now likely to be much wrangling over Johnson’s departure date with some already demanding he go sooner and others questioning just how exactly he can stay on until the autumn given how badly his authority and standing have been damaged.
ITV’s Paul Brand cited one text from a Tory MP which read: “The idea he can stay until the autumn is insane”.
Johnson’s decision to resign comes after more than 50 Conservative ministers resigned from the front bench.
Commenting on the news that Johnson has agreed to resign, 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. 12 years of economic stagnation. 12 years of declining public services. 12 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.”
More to follow
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