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:

4.28pm

In case you missed it: Here’s what happens next.

4.26pm

Conservative leadership hopeful Steve Baker admitted it will be “very difficult” to persuade Tory MPs to back him to replace Mr Johnson because he lacks Cabinet experience.

Mr Baker told the PA news agency: “These are very sad events as somebody who backed Boris Johnson, twice actually, for the leadership, who helped him get his 80 seat majority, who helped him get his Brexit deal over the line with the Eurosceptics, this is a very sad day.

“I like Boris Johnson, I have seen an earnest Boris Johnson at times. I really wanted him to be a roaring success so I’m very sad but equally after everything that has happened, an enormous collapse in the Government over Pincher, it is right that the Prime Minister is going and I now am looking to the future and a leadership contest.”

Steve Baker speaking to the media on College Green outside the Houses of Parlliament
Steve Baker speaking to the media on College Green outside the Houses of Parlliament (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Setting out his leadership credentials, he added: “I have spent seven years out of my 12 in Parliament providing real leadership to a good proportion of Conservative MPs.”

He added: “ConservativeHome members consistently put me in their top ten for next Prime Minister, they sometimes put me in their top five.”

But he said: “I recognise that without Cabinet experience it would be very difficult for me to persuade Members of Parliament to put me in the last two.”

4.24pm

The outgoing leader of the Conservative Party has had his say on Twitter.

4.19pm

Irish Premier Micheal Martin said he understands Mr Johnson has been through “a fairly difficult number of months”.

“I wish him and his family the very best for the future,” Mr Martin said in Dublin.

“From our perspective, Britain is our closest neighbour.

“It’s extremely important that we have a very strong, deep-rooted relationship economically, socially, culturally and of course, in terms of the respective government’s role as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin
Taoiseach Micheal Martin (PA)

“It’s fair to say that over the last while that relationship has come under strain, and there have been significant challenges, and I believe opportunities may now arise to reset that relationship.

“Particularly, to avoid unilateralism and to pull back from the unilateralism that has been evident in respect of legacy in respect of the human rights as enshrined in the European Convention of Human Rights and unilateralism in terms of the protocol itself, in terms of the legislation.”

4.16pm

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said Mr Johnson’s interactions with Ireland have been “wholly negative”, saying he will “not be missed”.

4.15pm

Former science minister George Freeman, who resigned from the Government on Thursday, insists Mr Johnson cannot continue as Prime Minister despite quitting as Tory leader.

He said the Government needs a caretaker prime minister who can “stabilise” things.

Mr Freeman added: “I think he’s done the right thing in acknowledging that it’s up, his authority is gone.

George Freeman
George Freeman (PA)

“I think what’s difficult really is to see how he’s going to be able to put together a government that next week will escape from the insecurity and chaos we’ve seen this week.

“I just worry that he isn’t going to be able to bring the stability that we need. He’s got a Chancellor who’s already said he doesn’t have any confidence in him and two or three other members of the Cabinet. The Attorney General is outwardly campaigning for his job. It’s just not a credible way to form a government.”

Told on Sky News that there is not a precedent for such a caretaker role, he replied: “There isn’t a precedent for Boris Johnson. There isn’t a precedent for where we are today, for this crisis. Fifty ministers have resigned, and I think we’re going to have to, in the next few days, select somebody. It’s not beyond the wit of man.”

4.10pm

Jack Monroe isn’t too impressed with Mr Johnson’s resignation speech.

4.04pm

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and former health secretary Sajid Javid are both seriously considering running for Tory leader, the PA news agency understands.

3.57pm

Here are some of the key moments in Mr Johnson’s eventful life.

3.56pm

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said Mr Johnson was “worse than Neville Chamberlain” and will be remembered as “the worst” prime minister “in our history”.

Sir Ed told the PA news agency: “He is far worse than Chamberlain, Chamberlain didn’t break the law, whatever he did, and I’m no Chamberlain fan.

“This Prime Minister will, I think, be remembered for the first prime minister in British history to lie on an industrial scale and to care more about himself than he did the British people.”

Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey
Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey (PA)

He said Conservative MPs had “failed to do their patriotic duty” by not getting rid of him sooner.

Sir Ed said “Boris Johnson wasn’t fit to govern our great country”, calling him a “law-breaking, lying, incompetent prime minister, the worst in our history”.

3.53pm

Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab is not planning to stand to become the next Conservative Party leader, the PA news agency understands.

3.46pm

A bookmaker firm has been showing the latest odds for the next Conservative Party leader on College Green outside the Houses of Parliament.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace is favourite at 5/2.

(Dominic Lipinski/PA)
(Dominic Lipinski/PA)

3.38pm

The latest piece of political commentary comes from former footballer Neville Southall.

3.32pm

Business minister Paul Scully said there is a “lot of talent” in the Conservative Party and it now needs to find a new leader “to rally around and move on”.

Mr Scully told the PA news agency: “It has been hugely frustrating that we have got to this point but the Prime Minister has made absolutely the right decision, it is time we found a new prime minister to rally around and move on.

“What we are now doing is starting that competition, the leadership contest, but we will in the meantime continue on the important matters of the day.”

Paul Scully
Paul Scully (PA)

On whether he would run to succeed Mr Johnson as Conservative Party leader, he said: “In no way, shape or form will I be anywhere near that; (it’s) always flattering to be asked but not a chance.”

On who he would like to lead the Tories, Mr Scully said: “I don’t have an individual name; there is plenty of people going to be coming forward with a lot of talent, but I’m going to be looking for someone that’s going to continue to deliver for the UK.”

3.19pm

And here’s Deputy PM Dominic Raab, who could still find himself in the hot seat temporarily if calls for Mr Johnson to leave earlier are successful.

Dominic Raab
(James Manning/PA)

3.17pm

Also arriving at the meeting is Attorney General Suella Braverman, who was the first to declare she would be going for Mr Johnson’s job.

Suella Braverman
(Stefan Rousseau/PA)

3.10pm

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries, a staunch and vocal supporter of Mr Johnson, has been pictured arriving for a Cabinet meeting at No 10 – the first since Mr Johnson’s resignation as Conservative Party leader.

Nadine Dorries
(James Manning/PA)

3.08pm

Mr Johnson spoke to Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky “to reiterate the United Kingdom’s steadfast support”.

“The Prime Minister highlighted the UK’s unwavering cross-party support for President Zelensky’s people, and said the UK would continue to supply vital defensive aid for as long as needed,” a Downing Street spokeswoman said.

“The Prime Minister added that he would continue to work at pace with partners to try and end the grain blockade in the coming weeks.

“He thanked President Zelensky for everything he’s doing to stick up for freedom, for his friendship and for the kindness of the Ukrainian people.

Mr Zelensky (right) meeting Mr Johnson in Kyiv in June
Mr Zelensky (right) meeting Mr Johnson in Kyiv in June (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office/PA)

“President Zelensky thanked the Prime Minister for his decisive action on Ukraine, and said the Ukrainian people were grateful for the UK’s efforts.

“The Prime Minister finished the call by praising President Zelensky, saying: ‘You’re a hero, everybody loves you’.”

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.”

Conservative MP Daniel Kawczynski
Conservative MP Daniel Kawczynski (PA)

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.

James Cleverly has been appointed Education Secretary
James Cleverly has been appointed Education Secretary (PA)

“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.

Chris Bryant
Chris Bryant (PA)

“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.”