the next few months will define at the next few months will define who the new leader is going to be or what the priorities will be for the tory party, will they be happy with somebody who voted remain, do they still need someone to take the battle to the eu, well the only vote for somebody who promises tax cuts, does it want somebody prepared to spend more on the link? at the tory party has had an identity crisis, notjust because of the leadership of borisjohnson policies, highest tax burden in some time, this has contributed to tory mps wondering what they are doing and what they want to do next. they will weigh that up this afternoon as they decide who they want to be the next leader. i would expect a number of people putting their hat into the ring and a debate about the

ijust want i just want to sum ijust want to sum up i just want to sum up where we are. welcoming all our viewers in the uk and around the world. it has been confirmed that borisjohnson will resign, afterfacing criticism from the cabinet, from ministerial ranks, from backbench mps, a wave of protest, concerns that he was perhaps threatening even the unwritten constitution by staying on, despite having lost the confidence of the conservative party and no longer able to command parliament and under those circumstances he had no choice, but to step down. there was a fear he would try to cling on longer and force a backbench vote of no confidence and a lot of criticism about perhaps even pseudo—trumpian

ian tactics and now the prime minister has confirmed he will step down. let's get more reaction with john maguire. the newsjust filtering through to us on college green, people starting to realise what's happened. we talked about it so much over the last few months, but certainly coming to fruition now. we can talk to lord robert haywood. you remember events of 1990 when margaret thatcher left. your reaction to the decision the prime minister has made that it is time to go? 1 minister has made that it is time to no? ~ minister has made that it is time to i 0? ~' , minister has made that it is time to lo? ~' , ., go? i think it is relief from the parliamentary _ go? i think it is relief from the parliamentary party. _ go? i think it is relief from the | parliamentary party. yesterday go? i think it is relief from the - parliamentary party. yesterday there was an atmosphere that in these circumstances was a mixture that was febrile, with everyone gossiping as who when it will happen and who will be the contender, but there was a

sense of frustration yesterday that borisjohnson had not actually announced his intention to go. and in some cases it was more than frustration and was down right antagonism. frustration and was down right antagonism-— frustration and was down right antauonism. , , .,, ., antagonism. despair was the word steve baker _ antagonism. despair was the word steve baker used, _ antagonism. despair was the word steve baker used, once _ antagonism. despair was the word steve baker used, once the - steve baker used, once the ministerial resignations started to come in, did people think that he hung on too long?— come in, did people think that he hung on too long? very much sho. the writin: hung on too long? very much sho. the writing probably _ hung on too long? very much sho. the writing probably on _ hung on too long? very much sho. the writing probably on the _ hung on too long? very much sho. the writing probably on the wall— hung on too long? very much sho. the writing probably on the wall from - writing probably on the wall from the point of the vote of no confidence, historically every conservative prime minister that has faced a vote of no confidence has gone on to resign, whether it is a few days or weeks later, but i think thatis few days or weeks later, but i think that is when the writing started. there has been talk that with so many ministerial vacancies that the work of government couldn't progress and also we are surrounded by

international colleagues from american broadcasters, that it was damaging brand britain. is that something you agree with? it is fair comment. uncertainty _ something you agree with? it is fair comment. uncertainty goes - something you agree with? it is fair comment. uncertainty goes in - comment. uncertainty goes in politics, but the nature of uncertainty in relation to a prime minister can actually be damaging to things like the pound, the financial markets. if you're damaging the pound, you're making ordinary people's holidays in spain or france or wherever more expensive than they would otherwise be. hat or wherever more expensive than they would otherwise be.— would otherwise be. not the mention ex- art -- would otherwise be. not the mention ex-part -- exp°ft — would otherwise be. not the mention ex-part -- export and _ would otherwise be. not the mention ex-part -- export and imports. - would otherwise be. not the mention ex-part -- export and imports. you | ex—part —— export and imports. you talked of the sense, we talked of sense of despair, maybe anger. now, what will the mood be like now, will people be ringing around, gathering support, trying to figure out whether they have enough to throw their hat in the ring. you whether they have enough to throw their hat in the ring.— their hat in the ring. you know politicians _ their hat in the ring. you know politicians as _ their hat in the ring. you know politicians as well _ their hat in the ring. you know politicians as well as _ their hat in the ring. you know politicians as well as i - their hat in the ring. you know politicians as well as i do, - their hat in the ring. you know| politicians as well as i do, they have been doing that for a while and

they have their lists marked and their potential organisations. some will be considering their potential organisations. some will be consider ing whether they will be consider ing whether they will run. now it will be much more open, specific requests of people. i knew well before mr thatcher left that i would be involved injohn major's team. that is the same sort of thing that will be happening. we will see, i think a lot of candidates from all sorts of sides of the tory party, some leadership elections it is down to one, two, three people, on this occasion i think we will probably see up to ten people openly considering whether they might be a candidate and i would be surprised if the declared candidacies are less than five or six. , . ., ., , ., candidacies are less than five or six. m, ., , ., , six. time scale, does it need to be sorted out — six. time scale, does it need to be sorted out before _ six. time scale, does it need to be sorted out before the _ six. time scale, does it need to be sorted out before the summer - six. time scale, does it need to be - sorted out before the summer recess? no, it can't be. that is the real

problem. although i understand that borisjohnson is going to suggest that he continues until the new leader is elected probably in the autumn, because our elections are not solely involving mps, but party memberships and hustings and those sorts of things, there is a possibility i would have thought that, because many of the ministers have resigned over integrity and decency issues, that there might be pressure for boris johnson decency issues, that there might be pressure for borisjohnson to stand aside and dominic raab act as acting prime minister.— prime minister. thank you. always interestinu prime minister. thank you. always interesting to _ prime minister. thank you. always interesting to hear— prime minister. thank you. always interesting to hear from _ prime minister. thank you. always interesting to hear from a - interesting to hear from a parliamentarian with so much experience that somebody that remembers what happened to margaret thatcher in 1990, that then formed, put in place the procedures for her successor, which turned out to be john major. so busy times ahead in the house of commons and in downing street, where you are. back to you.

thank you. i want to show you a tweet from mark drakeford, the first minister of wales who, said all four nations need a stable uk government and i'm miesed pleased the prime minister has agree —— i am pleased to see the prime minister has agreed to see the prime minister has agreed to resign. relief from all the nation and the opposition parties. mark drakeford the labour first minister of wales, welcoming the resignation of borisjohnson. 0ne resignation of borisjohnson. one question, nick eardley is still us with, do we still have a government, we have lost so many ministers, in terms of making decisions, that isn't happening. we terms of making decisions, that isn't happening-— isn't happening. we have a government, _ isn't happening. we have a government, i'm _ isn't happening. we have a government, i'm not - isn't happening. we have a government, i'm not sure. isn't happening. we have a | government, i'm not sure it isn't happening. we have a i government, i'm not sure it is functioning. the department for education have no ministers. the

calculation that may have been made in there today one we have been talking about, borisjohnson probably couldn't fill all the vacant roles, given the level of anger against him. he was probably done. he had nowhere to turn to fill the minister ideal posts. 0ne done. he had nowhere to turn to fill the minister ideal posts. one other fact, borisjohnson will tell us later he wants to stay during a leadership contest. tory mps are texting us and getting in uch and posting online and saying they don't think that is feasible. boris johnson at the moment has been prime ministerfor 28 days johnson at the moment has been prime minister for 28 days fewer than theresa may. he doesn't want to be seen to be the prime minister who served less than the last one. i remember george osborne saying that borisjohnson would do anything to stay in power. we have seen that haven't we? the question for the

conservatives is going to be, how damaging is this saga? why did the cabinet not resign earlier? why did you know... backbench members, not make those feelings of being incredibly concerned public earlier? because we were hearing that privately, but they didn't say that publicly. they are open to the charge of installing a prime minister and propping him charge of installing a prime ministerand propping him up, although they had deep concerns? it is hard to overstate the level of despair in the conservative party and how angry some mps were with cabinet ministers that they were not moving. you heard the speech from sajid javid, where he said not making a choice, or not doing anything is a an act of choice. that pressure became so significant that

yesterday we had a number of cabinet ministers say to the prime minister, time's up. now, he was planning on sticking it out. the message from no 10 was there isn't going to be a turn out in the street, this prime minister has a mandate from the public that he is determined to get on with it. but today the fact that a bunch of cabinet ministers had told the prime minister to go a priti patel and others, add in what happened today, nadhim zahawi, the chancellor for just over a happened today, nadhim zahawi, the chancellor forjust over a day, saying the prime minister had to go, the new education secretary forjust over a day, saying the prime minister had to go. that has forced borisjohnson minister had to go. that has forced boris johnson out. minister had to go. that has forced borisjohnson out. he was doing everything he could last night to stay. the message we were getting was borisjohnson had a reshuffle on the cards and he was figuring out ways to get his team operational again. but the fact that stream of

resignations continued made that impossible and has forced the prime minister out. impossible and has forced the prime minister out-— minister out. george freeman, a minister, minister out. george freeman, a minister. who — minister out. george freeman, a minister, who has _ minister out. george freeman, a minister, who has resigned, - minister out. george freeman, a| minister, who has resigned, said, minister out. george freeman, a - minister, who has resigned, said, we need ministers back at their dedesks, the prime minister needs to hand in the seals of office, apologise to her majesty. that is part of the what you are hearing? people don't feel comfortable with borisjohnson people don't feel comfortable with boris johnson staying? yes. people don't feel comfortable with boris johnson staying?— boris johnson staying? yes, i hear other mps say _ boris johnson staying? yes, i hear other mps say they _ boris johnson staying? yes, i hear other mps say they think - boris johnson staying? yes, i hear other mps say they think it - boris johnson staying? yes, i hear other mps say they think it will. boris johnson staying? yes, i hear other mps say they think it will be | other mps say they think it will be over quicker than the autumn. whose decision is it — over quicker than the autumn. whose decision is it in _ over quicker than the autumn. whose decision is it in terms _ over quicker than the autumn. whose decision is it in terms of _ over quicker than the autumn. whose decision is it in terms of whether - decision is it in terms of whether he stays? decision is it in terms of whether he sta s? ~ , .., decision is it in terms of whether hestas? ~ , , he stays? the prime minister can set out what he — he stays? the prime minister can set out what he wants _ he stays? the prime minister can set out what he wants to _ he stays? the prime minister can set out what he wants to go _ he stays? the prime minister can set out what he wants to go and - he stays? the prime minister can set out what he wants to go and try - he stays? the prime minister can set out what he wants to go and try and l out what he wants to go and try and go on his own time table. the time table is up to the conservative party. they are the ones who will decide when a new leader is elected.

david cameron planned to stay in office while a new leader was elected and theresa may was in quicker than most people expected. so there will be a conversation going on now in the conservative party about how quickly that process could be done. but this is, separate to that, some tory mps are so angry over what what happened and furious that the prime minister tried to cling on and furious he sacked michael gove and they're so angry, they don't think borisjohnson can hang on for a few more weeks or months. dominic raab is the name i hear as an months. dominic raab is the name i hearas an interim months. dominic raab is the name i hear as an interim prime minister. some of his colleagues don't rate him, but he did do it when boris johnson was in hospital with covid. i think he is the most likely character at the moment. anyone else

who could command support across the party, it is hard to see. {line who could command support across the party, it is hard to see.— party, it is hard to see. one thing thin on party, it is hard to see. one thing thing on michael _ party, it is hard to see. one thing thing on michael gove. _ party, it is hard to see. one thing thing on michael gove. a - party, it is hard to see. one thing thing on michael gove. a lot - party, it is hard to see. one thing thing on michael gove. a lot of. thing on michael gove. a lot of michael gove's allies are in downing street in very key positions, so the whole repeat in a way of drama between the boris and michael gove relationship is extraordinary. because actually michael gove and his team, his people, were fundamental to the way government was operating?— fundamental to the way government wasoeratin? , was operating? yes, some were sacked recentl as was operating? yes, some were sacked recently as well- _ was operating? yes, some were sacked recently as well. some _ was operating? yes, some were sacked recently as well. some of— was operating? yes, some were sacked recently as well. some of michael- recently as well. some of michael gove's key allies in no 10 weren't there. but michael gove's allies in there. but michael gove's allies in the conservative party, the mps as well, are among those who i'm hearing from are most furious about the idea that the prime minister may stay on for a few more weeks. michael gove said he won't stand. i wonder if he might be tempted. given

everything that has gone on. if you were to put — everything that has gone on. if you were to put your— everything that has gone on. if you were to put your neck— everything that has gone on. if you were to put your neck on _ everything that has gone on. if you were to put your neck on the - everything that has gone on. if you were to put your neck on the line l everything that has gone on. if you were to put your neck on the line in terms of key front runners, there will be a raft of names, is it possible to say who they will be? will it be on the basis of low and high tax? will it be on the basis of low and hiuh tax? ., , ., will it be on the basis of low and hiuhtax? ., , ., ~ , high tax? tax will be a key debate. the tax burden _ high tax? tax will be a key debate. the tax burden as _ high tax? tax will be a key debate. the tax burden as tory _ high tax? tax will be a key debate. the tax burden as tory mps - high tax? tax will be a key debate. i the tax burden as tory mps describe it, makes a lot of them angry. they want to see tax cut. brexit may feed into it and issues over the protocol and who can take that battle to brussels. who can keep the union together? a big question for scottish tory mps. a few names, rishi sunak. sajid javid. jeremy hunt. tom tugendhat. suella braverman. steve baker, liz truss. i think we can hear one voice from the

conservative party, andrew brittain is with john conservative party, andrew brittain is withjohn maguire. we spoke yesterday morning and we are trying to predict what was going to happen. are you surprised, shocked?— to happen. are you surprised, shocked? . ., , shocked? relieved. we have seen even boris shocked? relieved. we have seen even ltoris johnson — shocked? relieved. we have seen even boris johnson could _ shocked? relieved. we have seen even boris johnson could not _ shocked? relieved. we have seen even boris johnson could not defy _ borisjohnson could not defy political gravity for ever and he's done the right thing and put the country first. we've not seen his statement yet but i eagerly await it. ., .., ., statement yet but i eagerly await it. now we can move forward. what miaht be it. now we can move forward. what might be in — it. now we can move forward. what might be in it. _ it. now we can move forward. what might be in it, what _ it. now we can move forward. what might be in it, what convinced - it. now we can move forward. what might be in it, what convinced himl might be in it, what convinced him the game was up?— the game was up? there are three wa s the game was up? there are three ways appointments _ the game was up? there are three ways appointments that _ the game was up? there are three ways appointments that can - the game was up? there are three ways appointments that can be - ways appointments that can be removed, a devout of the whole house, a of the party or the collapse of a government and boris johnson was in a position where nobody wanted to serve under him and he could not fill the vacancies in the cabinet or government. the government was not going to work this morning because committees do not have a minister to present the bill to the committee.—

not have a minister to present the bill to the committee. when we draw that timeline — bill to the committee. when we draw that timeline when _ bill to the committee. when we draw that timeline when historians - bill to the committee. when we draw that timeline when historians adore l that timeline when historians adore the timeline of the downfall of borisjohnson perhaps one of the starting point might be the own patterssen affair, that was when you resigned. you made that decision in advance. many of your colleagues —— in advance of many of your other colleagues. i in advance of many of your other colleagues-— colleagues. i was put in the invidious — colleagues. i was put in the invidious position _ colleagues. i was put in the invidious position of - colleagues. i was put in the invidious position of having| colleagues. i was put in the i invidious position of having to defend the indefensible unknown paterson. i think it was the first domino to fall but i was not the last person sent out to defend something for which there were not responsible, mistakes made in downing street and decent men and women being asked to defend something almost whilst on air the lines were changing and i think as andrew said it was unsustainable to imagine the prime minister could carry on. we do not have a functioning government yesterday, we do not have ministers able to take bills into bill committees and finally i'm glad the prime minister has seen that and done the decent

thing for the good of the country and the conservative party has decided to move on. when you are sent out to defend the indefensible, talking to people like us, what sort of impact does that have on you? fii us, what sort of impact does that have on you?— have on you? of course, it is embarrassing. _ have on you? of course, it is embarrassing. and _ have on you? of course, it is embarrassing. and you - have on you? of course, it is embarrassing. and you feel. have on you? of course, it is| embarrassing. and you feel a have on you? of course, it is - embarrassing. and you feel a sense of shame at having to do that. especially when the thing you've gone on to defend then changes, the story changes almost whilst you're on air. lots of good ministers over the weekend found themselves giving lines and defending something for which theyjust lines and defending something for which they just could lines and defending something for which theyjust could not stand any more. that is why i think we've got to this position. long—lasting damage or is it something that once a successor is appointed, whenever that might be, you can recover from? appointed, whenever that might be, you can recoverfrom? i appointed, whenever that might be, you can recover from?— you can recover from? i think the damaue you can recover from? i think the damage can _ you can recover from? i think the damage can be — you can recover from? i think the damage can be limited _ you can recover from? i think the damage can be limited if - you can recover from? i think the damage can be limited if boris i you can recover from? i think the i damage can be limited if boris goes straightaway and we have another interim prime minister while we sort out the leadership issues. that is

how i would like to see it going. i think history will be kinder to borisjohnson i public will be today orfor the borisjohnson i public will be today or for the next week or two. 0r or for the next week or two. or maybe the public will be. he will be known as the man who got us through brexit and covid, two enormous —— enormous emergencies, most prime ministers will never see either of those issues. he got us through those, but he's made the right decision now and we got to move on. there is events and to multitude decisions, world events, were not enough to save him. ida. decisions, world events, were not enough to save him.— decisions, world events, were not enough to save him. no. over the ast nine enough to save him. no. over the past nine months _ enough to save him. no. over the past nine months since _ enough to save him. no. over the past nine months since owen - enough to save him. no. over the - past nine months since owen paterson is the is a genuine disconnection between downing street and reality. and i agree with andrew. he got brexit done and got the big calls right through the pandemic and i absolutely believe the conservative party and all parties have the answers to see us through the cost of living situation. nobody in my

constituency tells me a keir starmer government is the argument to the problems we are facing. his state will look back on those huge decisions with kindness but right now he was at the wrong man for the job. i am very pleased this morning he has gone. mr; job. i am very pleased this morning he has gone-— job. i am very pleased this morning he has gone. my concerns about the conduct of the _ he has gone. my concerns about the conduct of the prime _ he has gone. my concerns about the conduct of the prime minister - he has gone. my concerns about the conduct of the prime minister work | conduct of the prime minister work before owen paterson, i didn't vote for that either. almost one year ago when he tried to remove insert graham brady from the 1922 committee and having his own person replace him. that is when the alarm bells started ringing for me. what him. that is when the alarm bells started ringing for me.— him. that is when the alarm bells started ringing for me. what has the mood been like _ started ringing for me. what has the mood been like over _ started ringing for me. what has the mood been like over the _ started ringing for me. what has the mood been like over the past - started ringing for me. what has the mood been like over the past 24 - mood been like over the past 2a hours, 48 hours? grimm is the only way i can describe yesterdax _ grimm is the only way i can describe yesterday. disbelieving. not quite understanding what was going on. none _ understanding what was going on. none of— understanding what was going on. none of us, andrew has been here quite _ none of us, andrew has been here quite a _ none of us, andrew has been here quite a few— none of us, andrew has been here quite a few more years than i, could remember— quite a few more years than i, could remember having seen anything like yesterdax _ remember having seen anything like yesterday. there is a sense of relief — yesterday. there is a sense of relief. what a sight of the argument you are _ relief. what a sight of the argument you are on _ relief. what a sight of the argument you are on there is what is going to

happen _ you are on there is what is going to happen -- — you are on there is what is going to happen. —— whatever side of the argument — happen. —— whatever side of the argument you are on. happen. -- whatever side of the argument you are on.— happen. -- whatever side of the argument you are on. moving on, who should be the — argument you are on. moving on, who should be the next _ argument you are on. moving on, who should be the next president - argument you are on. moving on, who should be the next president of - should be the next president of number 10?— should be the next president of number10? ~ �* ., ., . ., , ., number 10? we've got a mechanism for that. we number 10? we've got a mechanism for that- we will — number 10? we've got a mechanism for that. we will have _ number 10? we've got a mechanism for that. we will have nominations - number 10? we've got a mechanism for that. we will have nominations and - that. we will have nominations and parliament, the parliamentary party it will get it down to two candidates and give that to the membership. summer recess coming up, we will have a new leader in place well before conference and we can move forward and that is really important. move forward and that is really important-— important. does the party feel divided, wru— important. does the party feel divided, will the _ important. does the party feel divided, will the candidate - important. does the party feel. divided, will the candidate need important. does the party feel - divided, will the candidate need to be somebody to unite the party? it'll be divisive for the few weeks, they say conservative leadership election is like a circular firing squad, there will be some division and some collateral damage but we'll come back together again because we have to. we were elected to represent the whole country and we

are facing some issues at the moment. are facing some issues at the moment-— are facing some issues at the moment. , . ., moment. any names? at the moment the prime minister — moment. any names? at the moment the prime minister has _ moment. any names? at the moment the prime minister hasjust _ moment. any names? at the moment the prime minister hasjust resigned - moment. any names? at the moment the prime minister hasjust resigned and - prime minister hasjust resigned and i have _ prime minister hasjust resigned and i have no— prime minister hasjust resigned and i have no idea who is standing. we -ot i have no idea who is standing. we got a _ i have no idea who is standing. we got a mechanism for delivering a leader— got a mechanism for delivering a leader and — got a mechanism for delivering a leader and we will unite behind that did it _ leader and we will unite behind that did it once _ leader and we will unite behind that did it once they are elected and carry— did it once they are elected and carry on— did it once they are elected and carry on delivering for our manifesto commitments on which we were elected in 2019.— were elected in 2019. thank you for talkin: to were elected in 2019. thank you for talking to us- _ were elected in 2019. thank you for talking to us. who _ were elected in 2019. thank you for talking to us. who you _ were elected in 2019. thank you for talking to us. who you are - were elected in 2019. thank you for talking to us. who you are backing l talking to us. who you are backing and whether you know the names will all be revealed. back to you, from couege all be revealed. back to you, from college green. want to bring it some more tweets. kwasi quarteng has tweeted saying, what a depressing state of affairs. so much needless damage caused. we need a new leader as soon as practical. summoned to rebuild trust and heal the country and set out a new economic approach to help families. not clear whether he would put his hat into the ring or who he

might back but we know a number of conservative members of the cabinets and those outside the cabinet have talked about their desire to perhaps step into that leadership race. we think it'll be a very wide field. another mp has tweeted saying boris johnson should not be allowed to stay through until the autumn. he is saying, gold means go. that concern from a number of people in the conservative party that boris johnson might try to cling on even for a few weeks whilst the race continues. clearly lots of unease about that, probably given that way at the last 48 hours has unfolded. concerns about whether boris johnson would push the uk into some sort of really serious constitutional crisis and try to cling on for some weeks and try to cling on for some weeks and months, even triggering a general election and uneasy about

now he has said he is going to resign, we wait for a full statement from borisjohnson in person but that he should be forced out as soon as possible from downing street. let's get your reaction to these unfolding events, jonathan. we are finally healing borisjohnson has agreed to resign. finally healing boris johnson has agreed to resign.— finally healing boris johnson has agreed to resign. well, i suppose even ltoris _ agreed to resign. well, i suppose even boris johnson _ agreed to resign. well, i suppose even boris johnson has _ agreed to resign. well, i suppose even boris johnson has it - agreed to resign. well, i suppose even boris johnson has it to - agreed to resign. well, i suppose even boris johnson has it to read| even borisjohnson has it to read the writing on the wall at some point. everyone around him can see that this was inevitable. we do not have a presidential system no matter how muchjohnson would like it to be. if you do not have the support of your cabinet, your party or parliament at large you simply cannot remain in office as prime minister. that was the possibility he might have thought to do at donald trump and defi every single constitutional norm. even those of us are very opposed tojohnson can be very glad he's not gone down that

route —— and defi every constitutional norm. in terms of how it is decided whether borisjohnson stays until the autumn or not, what is your sense on that? is it stays until the autumn or not, what is your sense on that?— is your sense on that? is it the 1922 committee _ is your sense on that? is it the 1922 committee of— is your sense on that? is it the 1922 committee of the - is your sense on that? is it the - 1922 committee of the conservative party at full force that decision? the message over the past few days as johnson the message over the past few days asjohnson has no authority in the party. and it is not actually up to him. he served at the pleasure of his party and cabinet. you have an extraordinary situation that you did not have when thatcher and theresa may resign when you basically have not cabinet in a post. there is not a cabinets ready and waiting to serve. if you had the situation where dozens of ministers have written to the prime minister to say he is not fit to serve how can they change their minds even for three months? all the arguments the tories are using to propjohnson up, namely

cost of living crisis, ukraine, are now arguments against him staying in office because it is such a critical period in the history of our nation, there is no time for caretaker in no time for paralysis. ii there is no time for caretaker in no time for paralysis.— time for paralysis. if that was to be a caretaker _ time for paralysis. if that was to be a caretaker right _ time for paralysis. if that was to be a caretaker right now, - time for paralysis. if that was to i be a caretaker right now, wouldn't anyone within the cabinet, people are suggesting dominic raab, are they all embroiled in every decision borisjohnson has made given they put in the cabinet until now? fii put in the cabinet until now? of course. put in the cabinet until now? oi course. that is a put in the cabinet until now? iii course. that is a reason the british public can make their mind up about these people. dominic raab, he is these people. dominic raab, he is the deputy prime minister. thatjob title literally exists for moments like this. someone ready and willing to take up the baton. i don't think anyone would begrudge that caretaker role for a few weeks while they elect a new leader. you do not have to like dominic raab to support that proposition. i do not see why there

has to be a big crisis and i don't understand whyjohnson needs to stay on until october, far longer than any leadership election would take. what is your sense of how that leadership election will pan out in terms of the key candidates? it’s terms of the key candidates? it's earl to terms of the key candidates? it's early to say- _ terms of the key candidates? ii�*s early to say. obviously rishi sunak was a shoe in for prime minister until he sanitised himself with those policies and the fine a few months ago. —— sabotaged himself. he may have rescued some credibility with his resignation. he certainly has been dented and damaged. liz truss is another one we spoke about for a long time, she only appeals to a narrow seven of the party and do not suppose she will get much traction in that country. —— appeals to a narrow section. i do not think labour would fear her. other people like nadhim zahawi, who is demonstrated he is in this and

career. then wild cards likejeremy hunt, sajid javid, tom tugendhat. these people cannot bring the country or even the party together. i want to bring in a tweet about one hour ago from guide or stat who says the reign of borisjohnson ends in thisjust the reign of borisjohnson ends in this just like the reign of borisjohnson ends in thisjust like his friend donald trump. eu relations suffered greatly with johnson's choice of brexit. things can only get better. whoever it becomes a tory leader in coming weeks will dictate how this country progresses with the ongoing brexit relations, what happens with the northern ireland protocol which impacts on eu — uk relations and integrity of that uk. impacts on eu - uk relations and integrity of that uk.— impacts on eu - uk relations and integrity of that uk. absolutely. it is really important _ integrity of that uk. absolutely. it is really important to _ integrity of that uk. absolutely. it is really important to bring - integrity of that uk. absolutely. it is really important to bring this i is really important to bring this point up. obviously people like me

are consumed with a personality and drama and entertainment, even, of the past couple of days but there are real policy issues at stake. we mentioned cost of living and ukraine but also the matter of britain's international and ripping up the treaty without largest political and commercial partners partners in the eu. -- with commercial partners partners in the eu. —— with our largest partners. someone like liz truss who steered through the northern ireland protocol legislation, she will not soften its stance against the eu and it remains to be seen who in this potential tranche of candidates will do the decent thing and suspend the northern ireland put out legislation before it takes effect and brings on a possible trade war with the eu. the most important thing is to reset our relationship with the eu because it serves the interests of no one to be at political or commercial loggerheads with our closest friends and neighbours.— loggerheads with our closest friends and neighbours. thank you very much indeed. i

and neighbours. thank you very much indeed- i know _ and neighbours. thank you very much indeed. i know you _ and neighbours. thank you very much indeed. i know you are _ and neighbours. thank you very much indeed. i know you are waiting - and neighbours. thank you very much indeed. i know you are waiting for- and neighbours. thank you very much indeed. i know you are waiting for a i indeed. i know you are waiting for a while but we appreciate your time. getting reaction all the time. john maguire spoke to steve baker on couege maguire spoke to steve baker on college green in a few minutes ago, key support in the past of boris johnson and one of those who call for him to go. pm johnson and one of those who call for him to go-_ johnson and one of those who call for him to go. an eventful morning, ou could for him to go. an eventful morning, you could see _ for him to go. an eventful morning, you could see eventful— for him to go. an eventful morning, you could see eventful couple i for him to go. an eventful morning, you could see eventful couple of. you could see eventful couple of years in government for boris johnson. news coming through it he will resign. johnson. news coming through it he will resin. ., ., ., will resign. your reaction. i am filled with _ will resign. your reaction. i am filled with sorrow, _ will resign. your reaction. i am filled with sorrow, i _ will resign. your reaction. i am filled with sorrow, i wanted i will resign. your reaction. i am i filled with sorrow, i wanted boris johnson — filled with sorrow, i wanted boris johnson to— filled with sorrow, i wanted boris johnson to be iced success so it fills me — johnson to be iced success so it fills me with sorrow it's come to this -- — fills me with sorrow it's come to this -- boris— fills me with sorrow it's come to this —— borisjohnson to be a huge success _ this —— borisjohnson to be a huge success i — this -- boris johnson to be a huge success. , ., , success. i will remember he got us out of a terrible _ success. i will remember he got us out of a terrible constitutional i out of a terrible constitutional crisis, big jeremy corbyn, far left could have been a disaster, and got a future relationship. wejust could have been a disaster, and got a future relationship. we just need to sort out the northern ireland protocol. thank goodness we can remember boris save this country

from a massive crisis and thank goodness he has agreed to go. we did it all go so horribly wrong over the past weeks and months? it’s it all go so horribly wrong over the past weeks and months?— past weeks and months? it's very clear that this _ past weeks and months? it's very clear that this has _ past weeks and months? it's very clear that this has been _ past weeks and months? it's very clear that this has been about i past weeks and months? it's veryj clear that this has been about the handling ultimately of the chris pincher affair. that's the moment crystallised in the minds of ministers they could not support the government. this has not been about like me that free marketeers not liking what he has been doing, we accepted what he was, what has happened is ministers have seen, they referred to a lack of honesty and integrity and we cannot have that and better he goes now and dragging on to the privileges committee. what has the mood been like? despair. i have been through a lot

and i have never seen colleagues in and i have never seen colleagues in a deeper sense of despair. people have been supporting boris and wanted to rescue him from the situation he has been in and of course they will be disappointed. what we have got to do is bring ourselves together, remember we are the leaders of our country, whether people like it or not, we have a majority in parliament, we have to behave with integrity and openness. not talk to our opponents, but talk to the public. the people of this country watching deserve to be well governed by people with integrity. we have got to give that to them. did it become too much of a circus, was the daily business of government suffering? it was the daily business of government sufferin: ? ., , ., was the daily business of government sufferin: ? .,, ., , ., suffering? it has to be admitted, that, yes. _ suffering? it has to be admitted, that, yes. it— suffering? it has to be admitted, that, yes, it has _ suffering? it has to be admitted, that, yes, it has suffered. - suffering? it has to be admitted, that, yes, it has suffered. but i suffering? it has to be admitted, | that, yes, it has suffered. but the last 2a hours that, yes, it has suffered. but the last21t hours did become a circus. you can't govern with ministers resign in an avalanche. that

thankfully now will end. ben wallace was right to say he needed to stay as defence minister. we will contest and in september we have a fresh start and get to a position where we win the next election because we deserve to win. we have got to deliver wit an imperative. has the brand been damaged too much by what happened? the has the brand been damaged too much by what happened?— by what happened? the conservative party endures- _ by what happened? the conservative party endures. the _ by what happened? the conservative party endures. the conservative i party endures. the conservative party endures. the conservative party endures, it is one of two great parties of government in the country. i believe in the conservative party, i have long believed we need to shift emphasis. but it is a broad church. people in the country are basically tories, evenif the country are basically tories, even if they sometimes vote labour. i want to see people given good government. i believe in the conservative party. i think we should make no mistake that the next government will be either labour—led, probe —— probably with the snp, but it should be a

conservative majority delivering on this direction of travel that people have approved of and we need to put smiles on ourface, lift have approved of and we need to put smiles on our face, lift ourselves up smiles on our face, lift ourselves up and stand tall and deliver in a responsible way.— up and stand tall and deliver in a responsible way. there is two weeks until the parliamentary _ responsible way. there is two weeks until the parliamentary recess, i responsible way. there is two weeks until the parliamentary recess, talk| until the parliamentary recess, talk us through those weeks, is that enough time to get two candidates and who should they be? that enough time to get two candidates and who should they be?— and who should they be? that is clearly enough _ and who should they be? that is clearly enough time _ and who should they be? that is clearly enough time to _ and who should they be? that is clearly enough time to get i and who should they be? that is clearly enough time to get down j and who should they be? that is i clearly enough time to get down to two candidates to put to the conservative party membership. it would have been trickier if the prime minister needed removing, but now he is going, i'm confident we will whittle down candidates to do two by the end of the parliamentary term to let mps get back to their constituencies and serve the public in that way. but we do it in two week. it will be frantic, many of you will be here for wo weeks, but

we will do it. you will be here for wo weeks, but we will do it-_ you will be here for wo weeks, but we will do it. have you already had -hone we will do it. have you already had phone calls. _ we will do it. have you already had phone calls, have _ we will do it. have you already had phone calls, have you _ we will do it. have you already had phone calls, have you had - we will do it. have you already had phone calls, have you had offered | phone calls, have you had offered services to someone.— services to someone. people will know in the _ services to someone. people will know in the last _ services to someone. people will know in the last seven _ services to someone. people will know in the last seven of- services to someone. people will know in the last seven of the i services to someone. people will know in the last seven of the 12 l know in the last seven of the 12 years i have been in parliament, i have provided leader ship and organisation through massive crises, whether it is brexit or covid, race relations, i have taken calls with potential leaders and now i'm thinking whether i should do it. because i got into politics because i thought i wanted an mp i agreed with, maybe i want a prime minister that could be counted on to do what i thought best. i know what i'm looking for, humility, a willingness to do what is right for the long and short—term and of course i'm considering standing. because conservative members put me in their top ten. i should respect them. steve baker there saying he will run for the conservative leadership. well, a key candidate who apparently

is popular with the tory faithful is liz truss, what do we know about her? ~ ., ., ., ., , liz truss, what do we know about her? . ., ., ., ., , ., her? we have not heard anything from her, her? we have not heard anything from her. because — her? we have not heard anything from her, because she _ her? we have not heard anything from her, because she is _ her? we have not heard anything from her, because she is on _ her? we have not heard anything from her, because she is on a _ her? we have not heard anything from her, because she is on a trip _ her? we have not heard anything from her, because she is on a trip to - her, because she is on a trip to indonesia. she has cut that trip short and will make a statement later. there has been speculation that she has been working on a campaign, getting ready to lunch one. it sounds like we may hear later today. one. it sounds like we may hear later today-— one. it sounds like we may hear later today. chris mason said she will issue a _ later today. chris mason said she will issue a statement. _ later today. chris mason said she will issue a statement. do - later today. chris mason said she will issue a statement. do we i later today. chris mason said she i will issue a statement. do we know whether mps are being canvassed or they have been canvassed, surrounded out for support. i they have been canvassed, surrounded out for sopport-— out for support. i think there has been canvassing _ out for support. i think there has been canvassing going _ out for support. i think there has been canvassing going on - out for support. i think there has been canvassing going on for i out for support. i think there has i been canvassing going on for some time, there is always a setting up of potential successor to a prime minister. there have been evenings

in private members clubs in london and conversations in the tea rooms. there is no shortage of people who have been making clear to their colleagues that they're likely to stand. jeremy hunt has been one who has been schmoozing a lot. liz truss heading back to the uk and it seems she will stand to succeed boris johnson. ~ ., �* ~ ., she will stand to succeed boris johnson. ., �* ~ ., , johnson. we don't know when boris johnson. we don't know when boris johnson will — johnson. we don't know when boris johnson will come _ johnson. we don't know when boris johnson will come out _ johnson. we don't know when boris johnson will come out and - johnson. we don't know when boris johnson will come out and make i johnson. we don't know when boris johnson will come out and make a l johnson will come out and make a statement, if that is what he is going to do, come out and make a podium statement confirming his resignation. but downing street have said the prime minister is going to step down and the questions about how long he stays while the conservatives run that race. let's speak to henry hill. what is your reaction across the conservative party to today's news?— reaction across the conservative party to today's news? relief. just relief. the prime _ party to today's news? relief. just

relief. the prime minister- party to today's news? relief. just relief. the prime minister has i party to today's news? relief. just relief. the prime minister has a i relief. the prime minister has a small band of loyalists, but beyond that there is no great faction. you remember last time, the last time there was a conservative drama over margaret thatcher, there was a caucus of margaret thatcher iet mps who would fight to theless. there —— fight to the last. there is none of that. the serve mps have been limping towards deposing boris johnson for some weeks and it is a relief that after yesterday's wild talk about clinging on, nadine dorries talking of mass deselections of mps, it is good, it looks like the constitution will work and we will have an orderly handover. i5 will have an orderly handover. is much of the cabinet and the ministerial rank who did not act until now, in fact some of them still not resigning, are they all now very tainted? i still not resigning, are they all now very tainted?— still not resigning, are they all now very tainted? i think it will be

difficult for _ now very tainted? i think it will be difficult for them _ now very tainted? i think it will be difficult for them to _ now very tainted? i think it will be difficult for them to ask _ now very tainted? i think it will be difficult for them to ask why i now very tainted? i think it will be difficult for them to ask why this l difficult for them to ask why this took so long to happen, because it is not as if borisjohnson's took so long to happen, because it is not as if boris johnson's flaws are new, or we learned anything particularly shocking, well it was shocking, but it was not we learned anything about borisjohnson that we didn't know since partygate. you can see tactically why some are doing it. there is among the grass roots who will have the final say, there is a substantial bloc of activists who are pro—borisjohnson and you can see why a leadership contender would want to keep them on side. in term of dignity of government and what message we want to send to the nation about the values of conservative party and how it operates in office, it would be difficult for people who served in this government this long to field that question.— this government this long to field that question. does that mean that the leadership _ that question. does that mean that the leadership is _ that question. does that mean that the leadership is more _ that question. does that mean that the leadership is more likely i that question. does that mean that the leadership is more likely to i that question. does that mean that the leadership is more likely to go | the leadership is more likely to go someone likejeremy hunt? irateii.

the leadership is more likely to go someone like jeremy hunt? well, no, jeremy hunt. — someone like jeremy hunt? well, no, jeremy hunt, unfortunately _ someone like jeremy hunt? well, no, jeremy hunt, unfortunately for- jeremy hunt, unfortunately for jeremy, conservative home did a run off of the candidates in our latest survey of members and he came last. i don't think, i'm not saying that we will rule out anyone from the current cabinet who wanted to stand, the contest is wide—open, there is no heir apparent. the contest is wide—open, there is no heirapparent. i the contest is wide—open, there is no heir apparent. i should say that would be an exception to the principle for somebody like ben wallace, who is seen to be doing a good job and no one blames him for he stuck around in thatjob. but the field is wide—open and whereas normally you would expect somebody from the cabinet to take the job, it can't be ruled out entirely that somebody from the backbenches wins or runs very close. i5 somebody from the backbenches wins or runs very close.— or runs very close. is this going to slit the or runs very close. is this going to split the tories, _ or runs very close. is this going to split the tories, do _ or runs very close. is this going to split the tories, do you _ or runs very close. is this going to split the tories, do you think- split the tories, do you think they're looking at a period in

opposition in order to fully reinvent themselves? because this period has been damaging. we have seen them falling behind in the polls to labour. i seen them falling behind in the polls to labour.— seen them falling behind in the polls to labour. i suspect honestly if they pick — polls to labour. i suspect honestly if they pick the _ polls to labour. i suspect honestly if they pick the right _ polls to labour. i suspect honestly if they pick the right leader - polls to labour. i suspect honestly if they pick the right leader they i if they pick the right leader they can probably win the next election. they have a big buffer. that majority of 80 has been whittled down, but that is a huge ask for labour to overturn. that is not counting that leader will have a honeymoon and they control the time of the next election. it is not out of the next election. it is not out of the next election. it is not out of the question that they win the next election. that is probably the best outcome, because they could win the election and labour will probably win sort of the later half of the 2020s with new leadership, brexit will be well behind and labour will probably win properly. the tories, every government loses office eventually and i think they will be out by the end of the 2020,

but they have it within them to win the next election.— but they have it within them to win the next election. henry hill, thank ou. the next election. henry hill, thank you. well. — the next election. henry hill, thank you- well. what _ the next election. henry hill, thank you. well, what is _ the next election. henry hill, thank you. well, what is the _ the next election. henry hill, thank you. well, what is the process i the next election. henry hill, thank| you. well, what is the process now? has borisjohnson spoke on the the queen? nicholas witchel is in the news room. queen? nicholas witchel is in the news room-— queen? nicholas witchel is in the newsroom. �* ., ., news room. buckingham palace will not confirm — news room. buckingham palace will not confirm that _ news room. buckingham palace will not confirm that a _ news room. buckingham palace will not confirm that a conversation i news room. buckingham palace will not confirm that a conversation has| not confirm that a conversation has taken place between borisjohnson and the queen. but it would be a matter of courtesy for a prime minister who has decided to resign to inform the head of state. that i think is what downing street is tilling political correspondents. i'm sure the queen and her officials will have been watching the situation closely with some concern. i'm sure at the prospect of a prime minister having lost the confidence of his party and refusing to step aside. in a situation such as this,

you have the queen's private secretary keeping closely in touch with the cabinet secretary, simon case, who was a member of the royal household. their priority is to ensure as far as they can there is as much stability within government and also it is the convention that the queen must be kept out of a situation such as this, it is for the politicians to resolve it. that this morning is clearly what has now happened. looking ahead, there is no involvement now by the queen at the moment, because borisjohnson moment, because boris johnson remains moment, because borisjohnson remains as prime minister until a successor has been chosen. and it will only be then that borisjohnson will only be then that borisjohnson will go to either buckingham palace or at the moment the queen is at windsor castle. it will only be then the prime minister goes to see the

queen and the successor is invited to form a government. the sole criteria for invitation is that person must command the confidence of the british house of commons. that is the sole yard stick by which the prime minister of the united kingdom is chosen. d0 the prime minister of the united kingdom is chosen.— the prime minister of the united kingdom is chosen. do you know whether there _ kingdom is chosen. do you know whether there have _ kingdom is chosen. do you know whether there have been - whether there have been conversations between no 10 or within the buckingham palace staff about the constitution crisis question, about whether boris johnson would have had the authority to call an early election. some speculating that might be a tactic. what happens when a prime minister clings to office but doesn't have enough support to skreet a government? —— create a government. because it is a political decision, not one that rests with the queen, but in our unwritten constitution some of the lines are blurred? i

think would be i think odd if conversations were not taking place between the three officials i mentioned. they referred to as the golden triangle between the palace and the prime minister. i would imagine that in a situation such as this that they would have been keeping in touch, keeping each other informed. now, all this chatter about whether boris johnson informed. now, all this chatter about whether borisjohnson might have called a general election, or asked the queen to dissolve parliament, i suspect that that may have been really radiother overstated —— rather overstated, but in a case like that, the monarch is entitled to refuse such a request, because it is only a request, on the basis that it wouldn't be in the national interest and there would be others within t governing party who could command the confidence of the house of commons, and that is the important consideration in this.

let's go live to the house of commons because the government has been asked an urgent question on the functioning of the government. angela rayner pose that. let’s angela rayner pose that. let's listen in. the _ angela rayner pose that. let's listen in. the civil _ angela rayner pose that. let's listen in. the civil service i angela rayner pose that. let's listen in. the civil service will. listen in. the civil service will continue to function in the meantime as they always have done and as they have done historically. may i thank the prime minister for his great— may i thank the prime minister for his great service to our nation and also to— his great service to our nation and also to the — his great service to our nation and also to the people of ukraine. and i think_ also to the people of ukraine. and i think people will rue the day he was forced _ think people will rue the day he was forced to— think people will rue the day he was forced to resign. but can i say to my right — forced to resign. but can i say to my right honourable friend, isn't there _ my right honourable friend, isn't there a _ my right honourable friend, isn't there a lot — my right honourable friend, isn't there a lot to be said for having a smaller— there a lot to be said for having a smaller cabinet, fewer ministers and hardly— smaller cabinet, fewer ministers and hardly any— smaller cabinet, fewer ministers and hardly any parliamentary private secretaries, and can we have a pilot to show— secretaries, and can we have a pilot to show how— secretaries, and can we have a pilot to show how successful that is going to show how successful that is going

to be? _ to show how successful that is going to be? ~ ., ,, , ., to show how successful that is going tobe? , to be? well, he makes are perfectly interestin: to be? well, he makes are perfectly interesting points _ to be? well, he makes are perfectly interesting points but _ to be? well, he makes are perfectly interesting points but it _ to be? well, he makes are perfectly interesting points but it is _ interesting points but it is somewhat outside the range of my responsibilities. i have here a list of all of the resignations... laughter i wouldn't read them out but there is iwouldn't read them out but there is plenty— iwouldn't read them out but there is plenty of— i wouldn't read them out but there is plenty of tasty quotes in there that will— is plenty of tasty quotes in there that will be of use later on. the mihister— that will be of use later on. the minister cannot sensibly argue we have a _ minister cannot sensibly argue we have a functioning government when this number of people are missing. there _ this number of people are missing. there are _ this number of people are missing. there are no — this number of people are missing. there are no people, ministers, to do statutory — there are no people, ministers, to do statutory committees and legislation even as we speak. so what _ legislation even as we speak. so what is _ legislation even as we speak. so what is the way forward? he cannot 'ust what is the way forward? he cannot just htather— what is the way forward? he cannot just blather at the dispatch box when _ just blather at the dispatch box when the government is disintegrating around him. the — disintegrating around him. the business of the house of commons will continue. and there are ministers to continue in place. i cannot pre—empt the prime minister's

statement but i've spoken to the cabinet secretary today and the government and civil service will continue to function in their public duty. i am grateful to my right honourable and learned friend and have great sympathy— and learned friend and have great sympathy for the position he is in. he and _ sympathy for the position he is in. he and i_ sympathy for the position he is in. he and i have had to take some pretty— he and i have had to take some pretty rough cases in court in the past _ pretty rough cases in court in the past and — pretty rough cases in court in the past and he's drawn some short straws— past and he's drawn some short straws recently in that regard and he has _ straws recently in that regard and he has done so with dignity. can i ask him. — he has done so with dignity. can i ask him, whatever one's views on the prime _ ask him, whatever one's views on the prime minister, and i accept the importance of the continuity of government. there is no need at all for a _ government. there is no need at all for a general— government. there is no need at all for a general election. will he take away— for a general election. will he take away the _ for a general election. will he take away the serious question that many have as _ away the serious question that many have as to— away the serious question that many have as to how long a caretaker prime _ have as to how long a caretaker prime minister can remain in place when— prime minister can remain in place when there — prime minister can remain in place when there is real concern as to whether— when there is real concern as to whether the government can be fully and effectively? might it not be any ihterests _ and effectively? might it not be any interests of everybody to speed up the transition as much as possible?

ithank— the transition as much as possible? ithahk my— the transition as much as possible? i thank my right honourable and honest friend for his kind remarks. he is right a general election is not constitutionally necessary. the prime minister was before the liaison committee yesterday and said as much. we will await events. i cannot pre—empt the prime minister's statement. can i say i am delighted to hear the mirrister— can i say i am delighted to hear the minister speaking positively about the role _ minister speaking positively about the role of the civil service. it contrasts _ the role of the civil service. it contrasts rather well with the way in which _ contrasts rather well with the way in which the government in recent years— in which the government in recent years have — in which the government in recent years have done nothing but undermine their position. i have to say to— undermine their position. i have to say to the — undermine their position. i have to say to the minister, the prime mihister— say to the minister, the prime minister did not remain as a caretaker— minister did not remain as a caretaker full stop that is putting the bill— caretaker full stop that is putting the bill in — caretaker full stop that is putting the bill in charge of the china shop~ — the bill in charge of the china shop this _ the bill in charge of the china shop. this is not all about mihisters _ shop. this is not all about ministers and politicians. this is about— ministers and politicians. this is about our— ministers and politicians. this is about our constituents and the public — about our constituents and the public services on which the rely and four— public services on which the rely and four months of this government has been _ and four months of this government

has been unable to deliver for them properly _ has been unable to deliver for them properly. that is why they all need to go _ to go. the substantive to go. — the substantive matter that the honourable gentleman mentions is not for me but i will cite ministers on this bench and in this house will serve the crown and serve this country as they always have done. i thank my honourable friend for a statement — i thank my honourable friend for a statement and i am glad he has finally— statement and i am glad he has finally come to the senses and lick his statement shortly, i am very sad the last— his statement shortly, i am very sad the last 48— his statement shortly, i am very sad the last 48 hours so many colleagues felt the _ the last 48 hours so many colleagues felt the need to resign from government. if those people will not serve _ government. if those people will not serve this— government. if those people will not serve this prime minister can i ask my honourable friend to convey to the prime — my honourable friend to convey to the prime minister it will not be tehahte — the prime minister it will not be tenable for him to continue as a caretaker— tenable for him to continue as a caretaker if you cannot fulfil those mihisteriat — caretaker if you cannot fulfil those ministerial appointments. caretaker if you cannot fulfil those ministerialappointments. i�*m caretaker if you cannot fulfil those ministerial appointments. i'm sure ministerial appointments. i'm sure my friend's — ministerial appointments. i'm sure my friend's comment _ ministerial appointments. i'm sure my friend's comment has - ministerial appointments. i'm sure my friend's comment has been - ministerial appointments. i'm sure . my friend's comment has been noted.

it is a great relief will no longer have _ it is a great relief will no longer have a — it is a great relief will no longer have a prime minister who keeps on saying _ have a prime minister who keeps on saying things that turn out subsequently to be untrue. will the mirrister— subsequently to be untrue. will the minister reassure us that the change will take _ minister reassure us that the change will take place in ours, not months? does _ will take place in ours, not months? does the _ will take place in ours, not months? does the minister recognised effective democracy depends on mihisters — effective democracy depends on ministers telling the truth? i can onl sa ministers telling the truth? i can only say the _ ministers telling the truth? i can only say the prime _ ministers telling the truth? i can only say the prime minister- ministers telling the truth? i can only say the prime minister will make a statement shortly. br; only say the prime minister will make a statement shortly. by those who enthusiastically _ make a statement shortly. by those who enthusiastically supported - who enthusiastically supported decisions such as voting for owen paterson — decisions such as voting for owen paterson shows how they were unfit to serve _ paterson shows how they were unfit to serve as — paterson shows how they were unfit to serve as ministers in the beginning. the governance of this country— beginning. the governance of this country cannot be allowed to fail. i would _ country cannot be allowed to fail. i would like — country cannot be allowed to fail. i would like to ask when are these vacancies— would like to ask when are these vacancies going to be filled? they must _ vacancies going to be filled? they must be _ vacancies going to be filled? they must be filled immediately and we cannot— must be filled immediately and we cannot allow decisions to be made by other— cannot allow decisions to be made by other secretaries of state from other— other secretaries of state from other departments. the country deserves— other departments. the country deserves better than that. the — deserves better than that. the government will continue to

function and i've spoken to the head of the civil service to that effect. the independent reports the prime minister— the independent reports the prime minister and told ministers resigning are entitled to £420,000 severance — resigning are entitled to £420,000 severance pay, at the same time we have a _ severance pay, at the same time we have a government gripped by paralysis— have a government gripped by paralysis and a cost of living crisis~ — paralysis and a cost of living crisis~ can _ paralysis and a cost of living crisis. can he confirm they will be forfeiting — crisis. can he confirm they will be forfeiting their right to this because we do not reward failure. you love — because we do not reward failure. you love the matter be honourable lady refers — you love the matter be honourable lady refers to a certain statute so it is a _ lady refers to a certain statute so it is a matter so that lot will have been _ it is a matter so that lot will have been passed by this house. it it is a matter so that lot will have been passed by this house. it was an enormous honour _ been passed by this house. it was an enormous honour to _ been passed by this house. it was an enormous honour to serve _ been passed by this house. it was an enormous honour to serve in - been passed by this house. it was an enormous honour to serve in the - been passed by this house. it was an i enormous honour to serve in the home office until yesterday tackling violence against women and girls. i know all members care deeply about this. while we're discussing these

matters are victims of rape, assault and spiking continue to deserve justice. will my right honourable friend give his support to the vital operation of these operations. and acknowledge the many serving police officers who drive forward the work and will he also the fact that civil servants in the home office line—up will continue to do this essential work. i will continue to do this essential work. , . , will continue to do this essential work. , ., , ., ., ., work. i understand it is good to get it on record — work. i understand it is good to get it on record but _ work. i understand it is good to get it on record but there _ work. i understand it is good to get it on record but there is _ work. i understand it is good to get it on record but there is a _ work. i understand it is good to get it on record but there is a lot - work. i understand it is good to get it on record but there is a lot of - it on record but there is a lot of people — it on record but there is a lot of people i— it on record but there is a lot of people i have _ it on record but there is a lot of people i have got _ it on record but there is a lot of people i have got to— it on record but there is a lot of people i have got to try - it on record but there is a lot of people i have got to try to - it on record but there is a lot of people i have got to try to get i it on record but there is a lot of. people i have got to try to get in. iwill— people i have got to try to get in. i will do _ people i have got to try to get in. i will do as— people i have got to try to get in. i will do as she _ people i have got to try to get in. i will do as she says _ people i have got to try to get in. i will do as she says and - people i have got to try to get in. i will do as she says and i- people i have got to try to get in. i will do as she says and i also . i will do as she says and i also commend _ i will do as she says and i also commend her for her championship of this very— commend her for her championship of this very important area. there have been _ this very important area. there have been times— this very important area. there have been times occasional in point ministers _ been times occasional in point ministers have been temporarily incapacitated, there's never been a period _

incapacitated, there's never been a period where i government has been incapacitated across every department of state. we've heard how the secret _ department of state. we've heard how the secret services are being undermined by the current situation, putting _ undermined by the current situation, putting national security at risk. at what — putting national security at risk. at what point is that the government going _ at what point is that the government going to _ at what point is that the government going to start functioning again? studio: — going to start functioning again? studio: that debate has been going on in the house of commons on the function of government. i will be back later this afternoon but i'm going to hand over to my colleague huw edwards as we await confirmation, the statement that borisjohnson is going to resign. we expect a podium to be brought out in front of downing street. that is a huge amount ofjournalists assembled for this momentous event after days and hours of intense pressure boris johnson is going to step down. we will go tojohn maguire on college

green. that news of the impending resignation, only around two hours old, people still digesting it. in politics as in so many other walks of life the first reaction is oh, really in the second direction is what is next and who is next? let's speak to stuart andrew, backbench mp as of now but yesterday a housing minister, one of those who chose to resign. why did you write that letter of resignation? ultimately, i considered myself _ letter of resignation? ultimately, i considered myself to _ letter of resignation? ultimately, i considered myself to be _ letter of resignation? ultimately, i considered myself to be someone| considered myself to be someone thinks loyalty and unity are really important in politics and i perhaps allowed that problem to wrestle with my conscience for a bit too long. i ultimately made the decision yesterday this was not sustainable. trust and integrity in politics are really important. i was thinking about my volunteers who go out canvassing week after week and thinking, what are they going to say

on the doorstep. and ifelt therefore it was time for me to find in that resignation. you are right trust and integrity are essential in politics but you talk about the doorstep, we frequently hear people telling us they do not trust politicians and events like these because, i don't want to sit irreparable damage but they are extremely damaging. timer;r they are extremely damaging. they are but in the _ they are extremely damaging. they are but in the past _ they are extremely damaging. they are but in the past as _ they are extremely damaging. the: are but in the past as a party they are extremely damaging. tu9:1: are but in the past as a party we have decided who are next to that is, united behind them and i think we will do that again because there aren't that need addressing in this country. it is a really good and positive agenda on levelling up places that have been forgotten for decades. and we have to get our economy functioning effectively again. these are things we can rally behind and i hope we go through this process of the leadership election now and focus on who the new leader will be and we make sure we unite

behind them and run the country well and hopefully lead us to victory in the next election. ltruflm and hopefully lead us to victory in the next election.— and hopefully lead us to victory in the next election. who should that be? i'm waiting — the next election. who should that be? i'm waiting to _ the next election. who should that be? i'm waiting to see _ the next election. who should that be? i'm waiting to see the - the next election. who should that be? i'm waiting to see the list. - the next election. who should that be? i'm waiting to see the list. i i be? i'm waiting to see the list. i susect be? i'm waiting to see the list. i suspect it _ be? i'm waiting to see the list. i suspect it will _ be? i'm waiting to see the list. i suspect it will be _ be? i'm waiting to see the list. i suspect it will be quite - be? i'm waiting to see the list. i suspect it will be quite a - be? i'm waiting to see the list. i suspect it will be quite a long i be? i'm waiting to see the list. i | suspect it will be quite a long list to start with but i am keen to hear what each of the candidates wants to offer to the party and more importantly to the country. and what their agenda is going to be. and i will listen very closely to what they have to say before making a decision because it is important we get the right person in place. i think we are fortunate we have a host of people who could be really good candidates. it's going to be quite a tough choice stop has your phone been ringing already to try to garner your support? phone been ringing already to try to garneryoursupport? i've phone been ringing already to try to garner your support? i've had some positive text messages but nothing explicit at this stage. i suspect that put public chains within the next 12 hours. i'm open to listening to people to hear what they have to say and what their thoughts are and

how they will address some of the present needs of the country. what present needs of the country. what is the -e present needs of the country. what is the type of _ present needs of the country. what is the type of person _ present needs of the country. what is the type of person should be the next not only conservative leader but prime minister, considering and bearing in mind what has happened over the last few months? i bearing in mind what has happened over the last few months?- over the last few months? i think it has to be someone _ over the last few months? i think it has to be someone who _ over the last few months? i think it has to be someone who has - over the last few months? i think it| has to be someone who has thought about some of the social injustices that happening in that country. is keen on the levelling up agenda because that is what the important legacy of borisjohnson and we must continue that agenda. i also want someone who will be really serious about bringing stability to the economy so people's cost of living issues are properly addressed. because i am really worried about how people are struggling at the moment and we have to focus on that. but i suspect we have a range of candidates that can do that very effectively. candidates that can do that very effectively-— effectively. you were a housing minister, house _ effectively. you were a housing minister, house and _ effectively. you were a housing minister, house and many- effectively. you were a housing minister, house and many will. effectively. you were a housing - minister, house and many will argue is at crisis point in this country

and has been for many years. a serious, properjob. iassume and has been for many years. a serious, properjob. i assume you would have spent all day to day working on your house in brief but you are not doing anything so that goes to tell us something about the sort of, how high the stakes are and what the problems are. it is sort of, how high the stakes are and what the problems are.— what the problems are. it is not ideal. what the problems are. it is not ideal- one _ what the problems are. it is not ideal. one of— what the problems are. it is not ideal. one of the _ what the problems are. it is not ideal. one of the things - what the problems are. it is not ideal. one of the things i - what the problems are. it is not ideal. one of the things i was . ideal. one of the things i was wrestling with was the idea i would have to give up a job i love doing and i was very fortunate to work with some fantastic officials within the department, supported brilliantly by private office and also the wider sector. as i went around the country what really struck me was that everybody was brought into the levelling up agenda and housing or zirkzee element. and i hope we can get back to focusing on that now —— housing was a key element. it is important government functions and that is what we got to

focus on. ., , functions and that is what we got to focus on. :, , :, functions and that is what we got to focus on. ., , ., , .,, ,., functions and that is what we got to focus on. ., , ., , , focus on. lots of people pot, this is the westminster _ focus on. lots of people pot, this is the westminster bubble - focus on. lots of people pot, this is the westminster bubble and i focus on. lots of people pot, this| is the westminster bubble and all focus on. lots of people pot, this i is the westminster bubble and all of this backbiting, the colleagues as snakes, it feels a bit like a school ground politics at times but the job you were doing really makes a difference in people's lives. it difference in people's lives. tit certainly does. we have a really important and positive agenda when it comes to housing, about making sure the planning system is fit for purpose and communities identify where houses can be built so you get that local support and also the condition of people's housing is of good quality. too many people are living in housing that is not up to scratch. that is not fair and we had quite an important agenda to address that. i hope that will, the focus will return to that in the coming days. thank you very much indeed for your time this morning. considering

there's been so much discussion today about the mechanism of government and whether or not the government and whether or not the government was managing to continue business as usual. hard to think that that could be the case. definitely the point put by the government in the house of commons but former ministers who all of a sudden over the past 48 hours have given up theirjobs, their lives have changed and the lives they're trying to change have been affected as well. at the latest from college green. back to you in downing street,. we are live in downing street where borisjohnson will be signed later today. the conservative party will be electing a new leader who will take over as prime minister possibly in the autumn. it comes after the new chancellor told the prime minister to resign following a weight wave of resignations from

senior conservatives.— weight wave of resignations from senior conservatives. ministers have seen a lack — senior conservatives. ministers have seen a lack of _ senior conservatives. ministers have seen a lack of honesty _ senior conservatives. ministers have seen a lack of honesty and _ senior conservatives. ministers have seen a lack of honesty and integrity | seen a lack of honesty and integrity and we can't have that and it is better that the pm goes now then dragging it on and finding he knowingly misled the house. buckingham palace has declined to comment on whether the queen has had any communication with the prime minister during the morning. good morning from westminster and indeed from outside number 10 downing street on what promises to be a memorable and momentous day. borisjohnson has decided he can no longer continue as leader of the conservative party and therefore as

prime minister after a series of ministerial resignations this morning which included that of the northern ireland secretary brandon lewis and the education secretary of one date michelle donelan. mr johnson let it be known that he would be resigning as leader sometime today. he plans to remain in post until that new prime minister, the successor, is chosen. he has broken quite a few records in the past 204i was. more than 50 ministers and party officials and aides have stepped out over the past few days, citing the prime minister's lack of integrity and competence. we are expecting a statement from boris johnson competence. we are expecting a statement from borisjohnson here in downing street at some point later. before we talk to some of the parliamentary colleagues of mr johnson, i am joined parliamentary colleagues of mr johnson, iamjoined by parliamentary colleagues of mr johnson, i am joined by our political editor chris mason. chris, it has been a very busy and eventful

morning already. but let's just underline what is going on so those of you wasjoining underline what is going on so those of you was joining us are very clear that the prime minister, hugh hinted last night, is to go. we that the prime minister, hugh hinted last night, is to go.— last night, is to go. we should pull a art what last night, is to go. we should pull apart what he _ last night, is to go. we should pull apart what he is — last night, is to go. we should pull apart what he is intending - last night, is to go. we should pull apart what he is intending to - last night, is to go. we should pull| apart what he is intending to resign from and not in the short term. borisjohnson has decided this morning he is to resign as conservative party leader today, but crucially not as prime minister. there always has to be a prime minister. he is saying he will carry on as prime ministerfor the minister. he is saying he will carry on as prime minister for the time minister. he is saying he will carry on as prime ministerfor the time it takes a conservative party to elect a new leader and the timeframe at downing street envisage is one where there would be a new prime minister imposed by the time of the conservative party conference at the beginning of october. and the intention from borisjohnson intention from boris johnson deciding intention from borisjohnson deciding what to do as he was over breakfast this morning is that he will carry on in the since that announcement, just after nine o'clock, there had been people within the conservative party and on

the opposition benches saying, is attainable? there are around 30 vacancies in government at the moment. the very functioning of government is a live question so would it not be better, argue some, that an interim prime minister gives way to the newly elected prime minister in october. i havejust been told that we will get announcements coming in the coming minute about new cabinet positions. in other words, the intention in there right now is they are going to prove, they hope, that they can assemble under borisjohnson's assemble under boris johnson's leadership assemble under borisjohnson's leadership a coherent and functioning temporary government that will run the country until october, whilst others say he should stand down as prime minister as well as resigning as conservative party leader. :, , :, as resigning as conservative party leader. . , ., ., leader. that is a tricky situation. the assumption _ leader. that is a tricky situation. the assumption i _ leader. that is a tricky situation. the assumption i suppose - leader. that is a tricky situation. the assumption i suppose is - leader. that is a tricky situation. i the assumption i suppose is people who may not want to serve under borisjohnson will nonetheless do so because they feel it's their duty to keep government going.— because they feel it's their duty to keep government going. exactly, and

the key thing — keep government going. exactly, and the key thing we _ keep government going. exactly, and the key thing we are _ keep government going. exactly, and the key thing we are attempting i keep government going. exactly, and the key thing we are attempting to i the key thing we are attempting to measure today is to what extent has borisjohnson measure today is to what extent has boris johnson lanced measure today is to what extent has borisjohnson lanced the boil of anger amongst his conservative colleagues by saying, ok, i get it, i don't have a long—term future as prime minister, i will resign as party leader but what about the argument which will be made today that in the short term, in a period of huge instability, an element of stability would be the prime minister who has been the prime minister who has been the prime ministerfor the last minister who has been the prime minister for the last few years carrying on rather than someone new coming in, trying to work out how to do thejob, a bigjob, before someone else was to take over? so thatis someone else was to take over? so that is where the argument is playing out right now and they are confident at the moment that having said what he has said this morning, there will be enough people who don't want him to stick around as prime minister but will be happy to serve for a period of eight few months. it serve for a period of eight few months. :, , , serve for a period of eight few months. . , , ., , ., serve for a period of eight few months. , ., , ., , ., , months. it raises lots of questions to sa the months. it raises lots of questions to say the least. _ months. it raises lots of questions to say the least. obviously, i months. it raises lots of questions| to say the least. obviously, we will need to wait to see exactly what the prime minister says when we expect him to appear in the next hour,

maybe, hourand him to appear in the next hour, maybe, hour and a half. we don't know yet. but i am wondering what the public makes of this. we have had this array of conservative mps and former minister saying they don't think he is fit to be prime minister, they question his integrity, they question his honesty, his competence. are the voters going to just understand that people are therefore happy to step into government with him again for a period of months? it is quite a big thing for people to take on. it is. thing for people to take on. it is, and if we take _ thing for people to take on. it is, and if we take a _ thing for people to take on. it is, and if we take a couple _ thing for people to take on. it is, and if we take a couple of- thing for people to take on. tit 3 and if we take a couple of steps back, so with the idea that a man who won a general election with a stonking majority two and years ago, biggest conservative majority on a long time, should find himself in the predicament he is in for all of the predicament he is in for all of the reasons you set out in a relatively short period of time. when we were talking on news at ten last night, we were hearing from india the argument that said they appealed to their mandate the party had secured under his leadership just two and a half years ago.

equally, yes, of course, viewers might ask, hang on a minute, if people have concluded within the conservative party that he ought to 90, conservative party that he ought to go, can he sustainably carry on until the autumn? i think in a practical sense that crucial test there is, can he assemble a government? that is question one and they will endeavour to prove that in they will endeavour to prove that in the coming hours. i will look at my inbox and see if i have received anything. inbox and see if i have received an hina. :, , inbox and see if i have received an hina. . , ., , anything. images here of boris johnson visiting _ anything. images here of boris johnson visiting a _ anything. images here of boris johnson visiting a vaccination l johnson visiting a vaccination centre. that of course is one of the elements of policy that he is really underlining, saying, ok, you have questions about my performance in some areas but on the big issue of covid he maintains he has done a big mac good job and some of his colleagues. there are plenty of other areas where that isn't the case being made by those colleagues and former colleagues. what do you expect him to be able to say when he

appears later about the reasons he is going? that is a crucial thing, what will he acknowledge two people to protest, those who voted for him in 2019, what will he acknowledge are the reasons that he will leave? i would have thought that he will say, what was a central plank of his pitch to be re—elected as prime minister in 2019? it was that phrase, getting brexit done. we can have and regularly do have long discussions around brexit that remain very problematic but in a legal sense he did deliver on that promise. a period of huge noise at westminster and a lack of resolution about the uk exit from the european union was delivered after a big mandate that he got in 2019. he also made a promise to the conservative party that he could win and he was able to do that. but his party then concluded that he was a great

campaigner but not great in government. that was a view of so many within the conservative party. and that he had delivered what they had wanted him to deliver. plenty of conservatives are always very clear eyed when they selected him as party leader about his strengths and about his weaknesses. and in many senses, perhaps the case for all of us, strengths can be weaknesses and vice versa. and i think that is a kind of conclusion the conservatives have come to. they now have a profound responsibility, conservative mps at westminster and the conservative party mentorship around the uk, around 100,000 people, by definition around 100,000 people, by definition a tiny sector of the uk population and card—carrying members of a single party. they have a awesome response ability in the coming months of selecting a new prime minister on behalf of the rest of the country. t minister on behalf of the rest of the country-— minister on behalf of the rest of the count . ., ., , ., the country. i want to bring in one ofthe the country. i want to bring in one of the peeple _ the country. i want to bring in one of the people you _ the country. i want to bring in one of the people you just _ the country. i want to bring in onej of the people you just mentioned, the country. i want to bring in one l

of the people you just mentioned, a conservative mp. we are going to talk to chris philp who actually resigned i think this morning and i am just trying to keep track of what the list of resignations is. thanks forjoining us. just remind us again by you decided that you needed to resign. bps by you decided that you needed to resin. a . ., ., , , resign. as technology minister? i resiuned resign. as technology minister? i resigned this _ resign. as technology minister? i resigned this morning _ resign. as technology minister? i resigned this morning as - resign. as technology minister? i j resigned this morning as minister for technology. resigned this morning as minister fortechnology. i resigned this morning as minister for technology. i was agonising over it for a time and i felt personal loyalty to the prime minister. i was respectful of the fact that i got a general election mandate. a review of the gambling legislation which is due to come out very imminently, and online safety bill to keep our citizens online is back to the commons next week. so i was very mindful of my duty to do those things but eventually i popped the question is touching on ethics and integrity and the functioning of our constitution were just so overwhelming that for meet the elastic snapped and that is why i

resigned this morning and i sent a message to the prime minister very respectfully and politely suggesting that he should go. i reach that decision sorrowfully, reluctantly only took me awhile to get the. but i think it was the right thing. ianthem i think it was the right thing. when ou i think it was the right thing. when you mentioned _ i think it was the right thing. when you mentioned ethics _ i think it was the right thing. when you mentioned ethics and - i think it was the right thing. when you mentioned ethics and integrity, at what point did your concerns kicking about mrjohnson. had they been there for months? what kicking about mrjohnson. had they been there for months?— kicking about mrjohnson. had they been there for months? what kind of timescale? l — been there for months? what kind of timescale? i think— been there for months? what kind of timescale? ithink i _ been there for months? what kind of timescale? i think i was _ been there for months? what kind of timescale? i think i was very - timescale? i think i was very perturbed by the situation last october and i made my views very forcefully known to the whips office at the time. but i think we know with the issues are and we don't need to rehearse them again and that is why i made the decision. we should keep in mind boris's achievement, the landslide election victory, getting brexit done, the vaccine roll—out and more people in employment than ever before. so he has got some fantastic achievements and we should keep those in mind as

well as issues that have led us to where we are now. do well as issues that have led us to where we are now.— well as issues that have led us to where we are now. do you think it is appropriate — where we are now. do you think it is appropriate for _ where we are now. do you think it is appropriate for him _ where we are now. do you think it is appropriate for him to _ where we are now. do you think it is appropriate for him to stay - where we are now. do you think it is appropriate for him to stay in - appropriate for him to stay in office as prime minister until the autumn? it's not something that you think voters will understand? t think voters will understand? i haven't got my head around think voters will understand? t haven't got my head around it. traditionally, when prime ministers when they have gone they have stayed on as a caretaker. i understand people will say these circumstances are different but i haven't got a strong view. i am sad not to be working on those projects that i mention, which are really important but the decision i made was that the wider considerations outweighed them. ., wider considerations outweighed them. :, . wider considerations outweighed them. ., ., ., ., , them. you have made that point very clear, them. you have made that point very clear. chris. — them. you have made that point very clear, chris, and _ them. you have made that point very clear, chris, and i _ them. you have made that point very clear, chris, and i am _ them. you have made that point very clear, chris, and i amjust_ them. you have made that point very clear, chris, and i am just going i clear, chris, and i am just going back to the question i asked earlier. because it is a crucial question. it is a debate that is ongoing, as you are aware. if you are really pressed on this and

asked, do you think there should be asked, do you think there should be a caretaker prime minister in the next few months or do you think mr johnson should stay in downing street until the autumn, what would your answer to that be? t street until the autumn, what would your answer to that be?— your answer to that be? i haven't aot m your answer to that be? i haven't got my head _ your answer to that be? i haven't got my head around _ your answer to that be? i haven't got my head around the - your answer to that be? i haven't got my head around the questionj your answer to that be? i haven't i got my head around the question yet. i can't see an immediate reason not to... not to follow the precedent i mentioned earlier. the most important thing is that we keep the government functioning on a day—to—day level. there are some departments that have no ministers, like the dfa, so we need to get that sorted out quickly. we need the leadership election process to happen as quickly as we reasonably can so we can bring the party together and move on because there are about two years left on this monday and we should serve those, said the british people and get done all the important thing is we are doing. we need to keep that in mind and make sure we are delivering for the public. that is a priority. just thinkina the public. that is a priority. just thinking about viewers watching this, many of whom will have voted

for mrjohnson back in 2019, you are saying very openly and you have done repeatedly, your letter was very clear, you have concerns about the prime minister's ethics and integrity and yet you are happy for him to stay in office for another few months. what are people to make a buck? ., few months. what are people to make a buck? :, :. few months. what are people to make a buck? :, .. , few months. what are people to make a buck? ., , , ., a buck? how can they understand that? there _ a buck? how can they understand that? there is _ a buck? how can they understand that? there is a _ a buck? how can they understand that? there is a big _ a buck? how can they understand that? there is a big difference i that? there is a big difference between being a prime minister, and he was talking about a caretaker capacity for a short period, not introducing new policy, new legislation. there may did it at the end of her time in office. there were different issues there but if you think about the last days of her office, it wasn't a particularly happy situation. so there is precedent but the main thing to do is make sure the government functions. the legislation needs to be completed and the basic machinery of government is working, get a new leader elected and bring the party and country together and move on. we

should respectfully keep in mind what boris has achieved because he has achieved some impressive things and we shouldn't forget that. trier? and we shouldn't forget that. very briefl , is and we shouldn't forget that. very briefly, is there _ and we shouldn't forget that. very briefly, is there someone who commends themselves to you to the post of prime minister? someone who you consider to be an outstanding candidate question mark i haven't given that any thought. t candidate question mark i haven't given that any thought.— given that any thought. i only resi . ned given that any thought. i only resigned four _ given that any thought. i only resigned four hours _ given that any thought. i only resigned four hours ago. i i given that any thought. i only| resigned four hours ago. i was given that any thought. i only i resigned four hours ago. i was up to my elbows in technical detail on the online safety bill until eight o'clock this morning so i haven't given that any thought. you o'clock this morning so i haven't given that any thought. you have not civen that given that any thought. you have not given that any _ given that any thought. you have not given that any thought _ given that any thought. you have not given that any thought at _ given that any thought. you have not given that any thought at all. - given that any thought. you have not given that any thought at all. thank. given that any thought at all. thank you very much, chris philp. let's at this moment, it is quarter past 11, bring you up to date for those just joining us on bbc news. we are expecting a statement from the prime minister, the outgoing prime minister, the outgoing prime minister borisjohnson and the outgoing leader of the conservative party here in downing street sometime in the next maybe our, hour and a half. i don't know, i am just

guessing but that is a kind of timing we are working to. in the meantime, a sharp eye is being kept on all of this across the uk. yes we are in the middle of the westminster bubble here, but what happens in downing street will have a huge impact in terms of politics and policy across the uk, so with that in mind we will cross to edinburgh where scotland's two first minister nicola sturgeon has been making her views clear about what has been going on. i'm talking to bbc scotland's political correspondent. the chaos and complete lack of integrity that has characterised boris johnson's integrity that has characterised borisjohnson's premiership has in the last few days descended into complete and utter farce and all that time when people in every part of the uk are really struggling with very real challenges. so first and foremost they will be an overwhelming and very widespread

sense of relief today that boris johnson two time as prime minister, which should probably never have happened in the first place, is coming to an end. i do think it is quite incredible to suggest that he will remain as prime ministerfor another three to four months. the sooner he is out of number ten and preferably that is today, the better. for scotland, we will see in the next few months one prime minister that we did not vote for replaced by yet another prime minister that we did not vote for and would not vote for even if given the chance. this is about so much more than one individual. for scotland, the westminster system doesn't represent our best interest and that is why we don'tjust need a change of prime minister r h wider changing of the guard at westminster, i think scotland needs a permanent alternative to westminster which is why the independence choice is so necessary. you say he shouldn't stay on as interim prime minister? does that

mean dominic raab will be the man for thejob? mean dominic raab will be the man forthejob? t mean dominic raab will be the man for the job?— for the 'ob? i wouldn't choose any ofthe for the job? i wouldn't choose any of the conservatives _ for the job? i wouldn't choose any of the conservatives as _ for the job? i wouldn't choose any of the conservatives as prime i of the conservatives as prime minister and i wouldn't choose to have a conservative government. scotland hasn't chosen to have a conservative government so this is not really about my ideal scenario, but i do think, given that boris johnson has so clearly lost the confidence of the uk and i think that has been the case for some time according to opinion polls and by—elections, but he has also lost the confidence of the house of commons and his own party. it is just i think an unsustainable proposition to say that he will continue to inhabit number ten for three to four months, particularly given his character and personality. i'm not sure that anyone can look at borisjohnson and conclude that he is capable of genuinely behaving as a caretaker prime minister. he will want to do things and in the process of that undoubtedly cause even more chaos then he has already. so the interests of people in all parts of the uk surely must be to bring this farce to an end and to bring it to

an end without any further delay. but the very idea that you are putting that legitimate question to me, if not borisjohnson, then who? dominic raab? it underlines my point, scotland wouldn't choose any of these people to be prime minister and that is the problem here. we are looking at this westminster system and the chaotic westminster system that it has become, and it doesn't represent what scotland or a majority of people in scotland want, the leave of value. and that is not going to change with the departure of borisjohnson. the westminster system is broken and it is that system is broken and it is that system that we need an alternative team in scotland because inherent in it is a democratic deficit.— it is a democratic deficit. nicola sturueon it is a democratic deficit. nicola sturgeon talking _ it is a democratic deficit. nicola sturgeon talking just _ it is a democratic deficit. nicola sturgeon talking just a - it is a democratic deficit. nicola sturgeon talking just a short i it is a democratic deficit. nicola i sturgeon talking just a short while ago in edinburgh and really making her views very clear about this change, which we are looking up today. and making the point that,

from her point of view, that policy is the problem, not really their personality in many ways. that they question the policy and the approach to devolved issues and indeed down the line to any potential future referendum on independence. let's go over to the green outside parliament and talk to the conservative mp for winchester. good morning. would you be happy for the prime minister to stay on in downing street for another few months? stay on in downing street for anotherfew months? trio. stay on in downing street for another few months? no, and i don't think my constituents _ another few months? no, and i don't think my constituents will _ another few months? no, and i don't think my constituents will either. i think my constituents will either. i've just been in the tea room think my constituents will either. i'vejust been in the tea room in the house of commons and there is a gathering, dissent is to that view, that this is not really sustainable until the autumn, given the extent of that lack of confidence that the parliamentary party is expressed. it is not really for the prime minister to set that timetable. he has tendered his resignation as a leader of the conservative party and it is now up to the 1922 committee to work

out the process and i know that they are meeting literally as we speak to talk about things like the threshold of the number of mps that any candidate would need to get before they can put their name forward. we can'tjust have a wacky races of candidates, we need those that are serious about being the next prime minister and have a chance doing so and doing so credibly. what minister and have a chance doing so and doing so credibly.— and doing so credibly. what do you sa to and doing so credibly. what do you say to colleagues _ and doing so credibly. what do you say to colleagues such _ and doing so credibly. what do you say to colleagues such as - and doing so credibly. what do you say to colleagues such as yours i and doing so credibly. what do you | say to colleagues such as yours like chris philp, saying that there is no problem that the prime minister was caretaker in a sense for the next few months until a new leader was in place, that people would understand that, voters would understand that? i was standing next to chris when he said it. this is not looking after a championship football club, this is the government of the country, the prime minister. just listening, i caught the end of the interview with the first minister of scotland, who

of course wants to make this about her pet subject which is let's get out of the uk. if ever there was reason to get get a grip and get things together, there is a really flattering example. you havejust heard there from nicola sturgeon. t heard there from nicola sturgeon. i just looked at your last tweet which says, very proud of rishi sunak and sajid javid this evening, so this is yesterday, albeit later than many of us would have liked. now let's turn the page. so let's think about that mechanism of turning the page. what is a prime minister need to say when it makes a statement in a short while in downing street? t it makes a statement in a short while in downing street? i think he needs to show _ while in downing street? i think he needs to show some _ while in downing street? i think he needs to show some humility i while in downing street? i think he needs to show some humility to i while in downing street? i think he| needs to show some humility to the position that he is in. i think he quite rightly can point to a number of successes. he has served as a public servant for a long time as mayor of london and as prime minister. he won a big mandate from

the british public and there are lots of successes that chris pointed to in the previous interview, but i think he needs to show humility and understanding that the game is up, as he has obviously now recognise. clearly, it isn't his choice. i don't think it's come to this conclusion, he has been told that by their men and women in grey suits. but you can't say what you said yesterday, and suddenly be ok with it today, so i think he needs to strike the right tone is a leader that understand it is time to hand over the reins of power in a dignified way because that is how we do it in this country and then the parliamentary party needs to move on very quickly and i think there is a huge appetite to move on quickly. if this was under the old rules, this would just be done next week and i think there is a lot of appetite for whether the party could coalesce around a candidate. that is easier said than done, given some of the

ambitions we have around us. but for some colleagues who stayed lash to the mast until the last possible minute, ithink the mast until the last possible minute, i think putting it bluntly, some people have doubts about their seriousness as a result of that. do ou seriousness as a result of that. do you have any thoughts on successions? i know we haven't had the statement check. chris philp was suggesting that he hadn't even thought for a moment about that. i was just thought for a moment about that. i wasjust wondering thought for a moment about that. i was just wondering whether you have thought about the kind of person that should succeed? i'm not asking you to name names, of the kind person? you to name names, of the kind erson? , , :, person? integrity needs to run throu~h person? integrity needs to run through them _ person? integrity needs to run through them and _ person? integrity needs to run through them and i _ person? integrity needs to run through them and i think i person? integrity needs to run through them and i think that l person? integrity needs to run l through them and i think that is pretty obvious. they need to restore trust and confidence in the office of prime minister. competence in the government. we have big crises, international and domestic, but my caseload is full at the moment are

people who can't get passport to go on the long planned for holiday they are put off for the last three years. so it is about getting a grip and ultimately it is about saying to the last conservative voters, and they exist in the red wall seats, in london in the south—east where i represent, saying to those that they add that person and it is the economy and that matters in every single seat in the country. it is about making sure that we emerge from this crisis with a strong economy because it is that through which we fund public services, that with which we have a vibrant economy and people with well—paid jobs and whoever stands for the leadership, and no one has declared to that yet, i will be looking for that in the next leader.— i will be looking for that in the next leader. , ., ., ,, ., next leader. very good to talk to ou. next leader. very good to talk to you- chris _ next leader. very good to talk to you. chris mason _ next leader. very good to talk to you. chris mason our— next leader. very good to talk to you. chris mason our political. you. chris mason our political editor is still with me and more things to report. t’gre editor is still with me and more things to report.— things to report. i've 'ust been

told that a t things to report. i've 'ust been told that a full_ things to report. i'vejust been told that a full cabinet - things to report. i'vejust been told that a full cabinet has i things to report. i'vejust been| told that a full cabinet has now been appointed and approved, as his convention by the queen. so we will be getting an announcement in the next few minutes as to who the new cabinet ministers are. is it a shovel or is it from the various gaps that have opened up over the last 24 or 48 hours? this is number ten trying to respond to the argument that has just played out here in the last few minutes as to whether or not borisjohnson for here in the last few minutes as to whether or not boris johnson for the next three months can continue to run a functioning government as a standby prime minister until the new conservative leader is elected in the autumn. that is a timeframe number ten is determined to stick to and the briefing of eight new cabinet is imminent and it illustrates that they say they want to continue until the autumn. to continue untilthe autumn. debate is raauin to continue untilthe autumn. debate is raging about _ to continue untilthe autumn. debate is raging about whether _ to continue untilthe autumn. debate is raging about whether he _ to continue untilthe autumn. debate is raging about whether he can i to continue untilthe autumn. debate is raging about whether he can carry| is raging about whether he can carry on and we have just had two opposite

ends of the debate, two conservative colleagues really disagreeing fundamentally on whether that decision is at the right and decent want to make. how will that be playing out now, given that the prime minister has to make a statement to the nation within the next hour or so? the latter still be something they are grappling with? they insist at the moment that they are pressing ahead with these cabinet appointments and what you can read from that is a determination that they think they can make the case they can assemble a functioning government, albeit led by a leader who is deeply unpopular within the party. in order to carry on until the autumn. but what we are already getting a similar argument to what we were hearing yesterday but fought over a different context, whether he carries on for three months or resigns as prime minister as well as conservative party leader, are in the coming days. some sort of an appointment of an interim

prime ministerfor a period of eight humans. a similar argument being played out over a very different issue. i think we will see over the coming hours, just as we did this morning over the resignations that foster prime minister's and, we will see over the coming hours on our airwaves and privately a sense of the extent to which it is sustainable for boris johnson to continue for the next two months. it continue for the next two months. it is possible that we will all be here listening to the prime minister in a shot while making a statement, explaining he will resign eventually but that he intends to hang on until autumn and then it is possible that what he thinks that will tie up issues for today and for the next few weeks or so, that will ignite an entirely new debate which will engulf the government potentially again. engulf the government potentially aaain. .. , engulf the government potentially aiain. ., . , ., engulf the government potentially aaain. , ., ., , again. exactly, and we are seeing the beginnings — again. exactly, and we are seeing the beginnings of _ again. exactly, and we are seeing the beginnings of that, _ again. exactly, and we are seeing the beginnings of that, those i again. exactly, and we are seeing i the beginnings of that, those embers are burning. we have seen it in the last ten minutes. that conversation is absolutely happening and they

will be trying to work out their new position, very different from last night, whether it is sustainable for the next three months. fiur night, whether it is sustainable for the next three months. our political editor keeping _ the next three months. our political editor keeping on _ the next three months. our political editor keeping on top _ the next three months. our political editor keeping on top of _ the next three months. our political editor keeping on top of all - the next three months. our political editor keeping on top of all the i editor keeping on top of all the developments here and over at westminster. let's take you to the house of commons work a short time ago labour�*s deputy leader angela rayner, who has been very prominent in the leading case against boris johnson, she asked an urgent question about the functioning of government right now.— government right now. without ministers. _ government right now. without ministers, what _ government right now. without ministers, what are _ government right now. without ministers, what are the - government right now. without i ministers, what are the arrangements to past, _ ministers, what are the arrangements to past, primary and secondary legislation and who will answer all questions? how will this government continue _ questions? how will this government continue to— questions? how will this government continue to be democratically held to account? will the new education secretary— to account? will the new education secretary resigning, there is not a single _ secretary resigning, there is not a single member in the department for education _ single member in the department for education. what does this mean for

children— education. what does this mean for children taking their exams? what does this— children taking their exams? what does this mean for the impending childcare — does this mean for the impending childcare costs crisis?— childcare costs crisis? angela ra ner. childcare costs crisis? angela rayner- that _ childcare costs crisis? angela rayner. that goes _ childcare costs crisis? angela rayner. that goes right i childcare costs crisis? angela rayner. that goes right to i childcare costs crisis? angela| rayner. that goes right to the childcare costs crisis? angela i rayner. that goes right to the heart of the debate that lots of conservative mps are also having, notjust conservative mps are also having, not just a conservative mps are also having, notjust a labour case, about the functioning of government. the case being made the education department being made the education department being able to function without ministers in charge. one of the ministers in charge. one of the ministers who hasn't resigned as paymaster general michael ellis who replied saying that the government was still functioning. i cannot pre—empt digger premised upon a statement. we will hear shortly that government and the civil service will continue to function in the meantime. the business of the house statement will be made shortly and members can ask questions of the leader of the house of commons about the matter of the business of this place. but the house will continue to function and

government business will continue to function. they can deal with things constitutionally and legally in necessary circumstances. michael ellis, the conservative _ necessary circumstances. michael ellis, the conservative mp, i ellis, the conservative mp, paymaster general trying to insist that the government can still function despite the fact that there are so many vacancies stop dozens of them in fact over the past 2a hours. as chris mason was telling us, we are expecting a list of the cabinet as it currently stands, given that there have been a quite a few prominent moves that there including the sacking of michael gove last night. if you'rejustjoining us on bbc news, it's 11:30am and we are expecting borisjohnson to announce initialled well that he is resigning as the leader of the conservative party and then in due course as prime minister, though the debate is

raging around the extent to which the prime minister can stay on until the prime minister can stay on until the autumn and the party conference season when they might be a handover. that debate is still raging today. i suspect that the leader of the liberal democrats has some rather strong views on that and he joins us now from the green outside parliament. good morning. what are your thoughts? the liberal democrats want _ what are your thoughts? the liberal democrats want to _ what are your thoughts? the liberal democrats want to prior _ what are your thoughts? the liberal democrats want to prior minister - what are your thoughts? the liberal democrats want to prior minister to | democrats want to prior minister to resign months and months ago. we called on mps to do that and it is a real stain on the conservative party and every conservative mp that they failed to act and allowed this lawbreaking and lying prior minister stay in office. the damage that it has caused doubling millions of families and pensioners around the country face of the cost of living crisis, theirfailure country face of the cost of living crisis, their failure to tackle the nhs with a long waiting list for cancer, for ambulances, gp appointments. this has been a government in chaos. because the conservative party still hasn't got a grip, we now have a government in chaos with no real government in

place to tackle the problems facing our country. place to tackle the problems facing our country-— our country. that's precisely the case that the — our country. that's precisely the case that the prior _ our country. that's precisely the case that the prior minister- case that the prior minister supporters are making full stop he will resign as party leader but they think he needs to stay in place as prior minister to continue government, to appoint people to vacant posts, to make sure the government is functioning. does the functioning of government, does the whole machinery of government have done i can before everything else in your view? done i can before everything else in our view? ., ~ , your view? no. the prime minister has to no your view? no. the prime minister has to go today- — your view? no. the prime minister has to go today. it's _ your view? no. the prime minister has to go today. it's quite - your view? no. the prime minister has to go today. it's quite possible i has to go today. it's quite possible to have an interim government. there is a deputy prime minister, there could be a interim cabinet appointed, and so the business of government could continue. the fact that conservatives haven't got a grip is yet another accusation against the conservatives failing to

lead our country. what the liberal democrat will be saying, would as we have been sent for months, is that this conservative party, boris johnson or no borisjohnson, is not fit to lead our country. johnson or no boris johnson, is not fit to lead our country.— fit to lead our country. what you sa to fit to lead our country. what you say to those _ fit to lead our country. what you say to those parliamentary - say to those parliamentary colleagues of yours, but opponents of course, conservative mps, who decided that they don't have a lot of time for boris johnson but feel it is their duty to be filling those ministerial posts simply to keep things going. are they right or wrong? we things going. are they right or wron: ? ~ ., ,., things going. are they right or wron: ? ~ ., h, ., things going. are they right or wronu? ~ ., ., , wrong? we need a government that is t in: to wrong? we need a government that is trying to sort — wrong? we need a government that is trying to sort out _ wrong? we need a government that is trying to sort out the _ wrong? we need a government that is trying to sort out the problems - wrong? we need a government that is trying to sort out the problems of - trying to sort out the problems of our country, but i'm afraid that whether you are a conservative minister who resigned or a conservative minister who decided to stay, you still have to be held to account for allowing him to be there in the first place. and for the months and months that this incompetent lying prior minister has misled our country, you know, when i took my constituents, when i went on the doorsteps in those by—elections in those council elections where the

liberal democrats did so well, we had lifelong conservatives are saying they couldn't believe that the conservatives would making such a mess of our country. when liberal democrats argue for a cut in tax to help people and the conservatives refused to do that, lifelong conservatives said why i'm they not listening to you? at least you have a plan. 50 i'm afraid i cannot give any credit to conservative ministers who resigned or not. frankly, they should get themselves a leader and do that as soon as they can. and then there should be a general election and we should get rid of the lot of them.— the lot of them. good to talk to ou. the lot of them. good to talk to you- thank _ the lot of them. good to talk to you- thank you _ the lot of them. good to talk to you. thank you very _ the lot of them. good to talk to you. thank you very much. - the lot of them. good to talk to you. thank you very much. the | the lot of them. good to talk to - you. thank you very much. the leader of the liberal democrats at there. let's go from one leader to another, because the labour leader xi keir starmer has been speaking a short while ago. i think we can hear that now. he

while ago. i think we can hear that now. , ., ., _, , , while ago. i think we can hear that now. , ., ., , , ., now. he needs to go completely. none of this nonsense _ now. he needs to go completely. none of this nonsense like _ now. he needs to go completely. none of this nonsense like clinging _ now. he needs to go completely. none of this nonsense like clinging on - of this nonsense like clinging on for a few months. he has inflicted lies, fraud and chaos in the country. we are stuck with a government which is not functioning in the middle of a cost of living crisis. and all of those who have been propping up should be utterly ashamed of themselves. we have had 12 years of a stagnant economy, 12 years of a broken public services, 12 years of empty promises. enough is enough. and the change we need is not a change at the top of the tory party, it's much more fundamental than that. we need a change of government. and a fresh start for britain. it government. and a fresh start for britain. ., , �* government. and a fresh start for britain. ., ,�* ~' government. and a fresh start for britain. ., ,�* ~ britain. it doesn't look like you will aet a britain. it doesn't look like you will get a general _ britain. it doesn't look like you will get a general election - britain. it doesn't look like you will get a general election if. britain. it doesn't look like you will get a general election if he just swapped leaders? ihe will get a general election if he just swapped leaders? he needs to co. just swapped leaders? he needs to to. he just swapped leaders? he needs to go- he cannot _ just swapped leaders? he needs to go. he cannot cling _ just swapped leaders? he needs to go. he cannot cling on _ just swapped leaders? he needs to go. he cannot cling on in _ just swapped leaders? he needs to go. he cannot cling on in this - just swapped leaders? he needs to go. he cannot cling on in this way. | go. he cannot cling on in this way. his own party have finally concluded that he is unfit to be prior minister. they cannot now inflict him on the country for the next few months. it's obvious he is unfit to

be prior minister, that has been blindingly obvious for a very, very long time. and if they do not get rid of him, then labour will step up in the national interest and bring a vote of no confidence, because we cannot go on with this prior minister clinging on for months and months to come.— minister clinging on for months and months to come. wouldn't that unite the conservative _ months to come. wouldn't that unite the conservative party? _ months to come. wouldn't that unite the conservative party? i— months to come. wouldn't that unite the conservative party? i don't - months to come. wouldn't that unite the conservative party? i don't do i the conservative party? i don't do an hinu the conservative party? i don't do anything is _ the conservative party? i don't do anything is going _ the conservative party? i don't do anything is going to _ the conservative party? i don't do anything is going to unite - the conservative party? i don't do anything is going to unite this - anything is going to unite this conservative party. they are tearing each other apart. what we have got in the middle of a cost of living crisis, is a government that cannot function. and that is why i say, he cannot cling now, they have declared him unfit to be prior minister, they cannot inflict him in the country for the next few months. if they do not get rid of him, we will bring that vote of no confidence in the national interest. because we cannot go on with this broken government led by this discredited premise. borisjohnson, in some ways, it was your biggest asset if you were going to go to the country, when you lose here you will have more of a

problem?— here you will have more of a roblem? ., , ., ., , .,, problem? the conservative party has been in power— problem? the conservative party has been in power for _ problem? the conservative party has been in power for 12 _ problem? the conservative party has been in power for 12 years. _ problem? the conservative party has been in power for 12 years. 12 - problem? the conservative party has been in power for 12 years. 12 years l been in powerfor12 years. 12 years of a stagnant economy, 12 years of a broken public services, 12 years of empty promises. we need a fresh start and that is why i say, changing the top of the conservative party is not the fundamental change that we need. we need a change of government. we need a fresh start for our country. it government. we need a fresh start for our country-— for our country. it doesn't look like ou for our country. it doesn't look like you will— for our country. it doesn't look like you will get _ for our country. it doesn't look like you will get to _ for our country. it doesn't look like you will get to the - for our country. it doesn't look like you will get to the general election? we like you will get to the general election? ~ _, , , election? we need... the country is c in: out election? we need... the country is crying out for _ election? we need... the country is crying out for change. _ election? we need... the country is crying out for change. we _ election? we need... the country is crying out for change. we have - election? we need... the country is| crying out for change. we have been stuck with a government that has not been functioning in the middle of the cost of living crisis. and, now changing the person at the top of the conservative party is not going to change anything whatsoever. people want to change a fresh start for britain. and that means we need a change of government. we need a labour government. is there nobody that you would rate as a good opponent, someone will be in against you? them this isn't a question

about who leads the conservative party, it's much more fundamental than that. they have been a power for 12 years, of empty promises, broken promises, a stagnant economy, wages, very, very low. inflationary prices through the roof. we need fundamental change, we need a fresh start for britain, we need a change of government. we need a labour government. of government. we need a labour government-— government. lastly, i want to ask ou, government. lastly, i want to ask you. given — government. lastly, i want to ask you. given what — government. lastly, i want to ask you, given what you _ government. lastly, i want to ask you, given what you say _ government. lastly, i want to ask you, given what you say about. you, given what you say about government you haven't cut through as you might want to. how can you do something about that now? we as you might want to. how can you do something about that now?— something about that now? we have come from a — something about that now? we have come from a general _ something about that now? we have come from a general election - something about that now? we have come from a general election in - something about that now? we have| come from a general election in 2019 when we did very badly, to local elections this year we did considerable ground, and a by—election win two weeks ago today, with a huge swing to the labour party. 50 we are on track and that is what we say that the change we need is a change of government. a labour government. and we are ready for that. 50 labour government. and we are ready for that. ,, ., for that. so keir starmer there. the labour leader— for that. so keir starmer there. the labour leader giving _ for that. so keir starmer there. the labour leader giving his _ for that. so keir starmer there. the labour leader giving his forthright l labour leader giving his forthright view on the change he needs the uk

needs right now. chris mason are still with us, our political chorus editor. ihla still with us, our political chorus editor. ., . , still with us, our political chorus editor. ., ., , , ., , editor. no appointment is added yet an ounce. editor. no appointment is added yet an ounce- i — editor. no appointment is added yet an ounce- i am _ editor. no appointment is added yet an ounce. i am being _ editor. no appointment is added yet an ounce. i am being told _ editor. no appointment is added yet an ounce. i am being told as - editor. no appointment is added yet an ounce. i am being told as we - editor. no appointment is added yetj an ounce. i am being told as we said an ounce. i am being told as we said a few minutes ago that because boris johnson is determined to carry on as prior minister until the autumn was the new conservative leader is elected, he is going to assemble a full cabinet. in order to start making the argument that he can run a functioning government. there is a few ministerial vacancies he will have to do result below the cabinet level to make that argument as forcibly as he would hope to. no public announcement as of yet as to who is doing whichjobs. but it is fascinating to hearing keir starmer there, beginning to get an outline, there, beginning to get an outline, the earliest of sketches of the coming political arguments. yes, the media one about whether boris johnson carries on as borisjohnson —— act as prior minister. but suddenly it's a keir starmer who will in many ways politically define himself as everything that boris johnson is not. suddenly he will

begin to fronted with a new opponent. and that will reshape labour's strategy as they approach the general election pulls have you had the big picture argument about the duration of the conservative government, but there is a lot of personality involved in the contest to become prior minister and he is going to face a new opponent. a, going to face a new opponent. a labour mp said that of course can sever should be out of office, but many think that we need an eye because they seem as an electoral asset. {iii because they seem as an electoral asset. . ., , �* because they seem as an electoral asset. . ., , ~ ., because they seem as an electoral asset. _, , ~ ., ., , because they seem as an electoral asset. , ~ ., ., asset. of course. and that was what was driving — asset. of course. and that was what was driving so _ asset. of course. and that was what was driving so many _ asset. of course. and that was what was driving so many of _ asset. of course. and that was what was driving so many of the - was driving so many of the conservative mps who wanted to get rid of borisjohnson, because they agreed with the private reflection of labour mps that borisjohnson in their view had become a liability and therefore for their own sake and the secular party, they felt they had to get rid of him. it entirely changes the political conversation and dynamic. although i'm getting

ahead of myself. we are adding a situation october, when we are not absolutely certain, who will be prime minister over the summer. head of whoever the election of the next... we seem to be having some technical difficulties are down there in westminster. as you can imagine, we have camera crews and teams right across westminster, right across the country in fact gathering reaction and analysis to significant events there in westminster. i think we have re—established the line so we can cross back to our correspondent in downing street. apologies everyone for that. a little glitch, but we are back safe and sound with chris here in downing street. just

saying the question of psychology. why would he want to stay. he has been a humiliated, he has been forced out in effect, make no secret about that, so why would he want to stay there for another few months? is just to be stay there for another few months? isjust to be prime stay there for another few months? is just to be prime a few months, is that it? isjust to be prime a few months, is that it? ., , ., that it? that might be part of it, for someone _ that it? that might be part of it, for someone who _ that it? that might be part of it, for someone who has... - that it? that might be part of it, for someone who has... on - that it? that might be part of it, for someone who has... on a i that it? that might be part of it, - for someone who has... on a human level, i suspect that might be a motivating factor. i think the other factor that is likely to be in the minds of those in their making this argument to this country, surely, to conservative mps is trying to find in a sea of incivility, a sliver of stability which would be the argument that says, ok you elected this party with a sleeve a couple of years ago, you are soon going to get a new prime minister, do you want a third person occupying that role in 2022 ahead of the election of a new

conservative leader, a new prime minister in the autumn? i suppose that with the essence of the argument that they made. but ultimately, there is too the practical one, can be a similar function government, and the little one, does the conservative party bias? ., ,., , one, does the conservative party bias? ., , _, bias? one of the points comment before we deal— bias? one of the points comment before we deal with _ bias? one of the points comment before we deal with something i bias? one of the points comment. before we deal with something else, which is the kind of leader that the parliamentary party will want? you know the parliament trip very well, and you know the different shades of colour within that parliamentary party, what kind of person will they want to? all they want somebody who is strikingly different in terms of style? will they want somebody who is a little bit more businesslike, may be a bit more serious and they would see it? but maybe then having less of an electoral pizzazz around them? where are we? me less of an electoral pizzazz around them? where are we?— less of an electoral pizzazz around them? where are we? we have sent end u . them? where are we? we have sent end u- with a them? where are we? we have sent end up with a new — them? where are we? we have sent end up with a new prime _ them? where are we? we have sent end up with a new prime minister _ them? where are we? we have sent end up with a new prime minister who - up with a new prime minister who isn't as big a character as boris johnson, such as the outsize personality of our current prior minister. but then there is an

argument that will rage within the conservative party around the outlook of that new prime minister. the conservative party has changed radically. so many of those who regarded it as their home at driven out, although special arguments are not... i out, although special arguments are not... ~' ~ out, although special arguments are not... ~ ~ ., not... i think both the... we have an appointment — not... i think both the... we have an appointment instead _ not. .. i think both the... we have an appointment instead of- not... i think both the... we have| an appointment instead of michael gove and it is that the right honourable greg clark, that is a bit of a surprise addition at this point. greg clark has agreed to be appointed as secretary of state for levelling up housing and communities. replacing michael gove who was sacked yesterday. greg clark being a very experienced operator and a previous minister.— being a very experienced operator and a previous minister. indeed, if i recall this — and a previous minister. indeed, if i recall this rightly, _ and a previous minister. indeed, if i recall this rightly, he _ and a previous minister. indeed, if i recall this rightly, he grew- and a previous minister. indeed, if i recall this rightly, he grew up - and a previous minister. indeed, if i recall this rightly, he grew up on| i recall this rightly, he grew up on teesside, he is an mp in kent. we can make the arguing that in this part of the country where levelling

up part of the country where levelling up is crucial, teesside becomes an electoral success story for conservatives in recent years with their mayor... with long—standing labour seats being won by the conservatives, not at least simon clarke who has served in government prominently in the treasury. so that is the first of several payments to come. the thing i will be intrigued by it, is the extent to which this is any exercise in filling gaps or if there is a wider reshuffle. and what the viewers of those cabinet ministers that didn't resign yesterday, but didn't tell the prior minister he should resign, are they willing to serve in the interim, given he has acknowledged that he is due to go? there is some evidence that some of them are willing to do that. , , , ., ., that some of them are willing to do that. ,, ,., ., that. this is 'ust about now as well. kit that. this isjust about now as well. kit malthouse _ that. this isjust about now as well. kit malthouse becomes| that. this is just about now as i well. kit malthouse becomes the chancellor of the duchy of lancaster.

chancellor of the duchy of lancaster-_ chancellor of the duchy of lancaster. , ., . lancaster. has served as a police minister, lancaster. has served as a police minister. in _ lancaster. has served as a police minister, in the _ lancaster. has served as a police minister, in the past, _ lancaster. has served as a police minister, in the past, so - lancaster. has served as a police minister, in the past, so an i lancaster. has served as a police minister, in the past, so an ally l lancaster. has served as a police | minister, in the past, so an ally of the prior minister who wouldn't be surprising is up for supporting the next couple of months. iunlith surprising is up for supporting the next couple of months. with these eo - le fit next couple of months. with these people fit into _ next couple of months. with these people fit into the _ next couple of months. with these people fit into the category - next couple of months. with these people fit into the category of i people fit into the category of people fit into the category of people who agreed to share because it is the right thing to do, they have been a big ally of the prior minister, would greg clark be serving because he thinks itsjust a duty to do it? serving because he thinks its 'ust a duty to do mi duty to do it? yes, i suspect so. it's probably _ duty to do it? yes, i suspect so. it's probably an _ duty to do it? yes, i suspect so. it's probably an invitation i duty to do it? yes, i suspect so. it's probably an invitation to i duty to do it? yes, i suspect so. it's probably an invitation to join during the cabinet, albeit a short—term appointment, quite possibly... and that argument that you come in to government and into politics for public service. clearly these are unorthodox moments but, these are unorthodox moments but, the motivations i suspect of these are exactly that. an additional bit of news, james cleverly being appointed as the adjacent secretary.

—— education secretary. for a matter of those 35 hours. james cleverly, another long—standing conservative, again, mp for braintree in essex, has served in various portfolios around government, now rising up to a cabinet minutes position. we have had three now. _ cabinet minutes position. we have had three now. at _ cabinet minutes position. we have had three now. at least, _ cabinet minutes position. we have had three now. at least, so - cabinet minutes position. we have had three now. at least, so we i cabinet minutes position. we have | had three now. at least, so we will be back when the others pop up, and then we will try to find out a little more for everyone about when we might be expecting to see the prime minister popping out of the door. the clue of course as you will know at this stage is the elector and will appear and then we will know something is happening full stop so far there is no elect turn so it is a little bit away again. we

have been proved wrong advice. at this stage, we are simply trying to gauge what is happening inside with the functioning of government and whether or not these jobs, all of them, or the vacancies announced yesterday can be filled in good time. and indeed what the conservative mps are making of the plan of the prime minister plan to stay in office until the autumn. how was the news about borisjohnson being greeted away from westminster? we are going tojoin our correspondence mac who is in cheltenham and... what is going on there? we cheltenham and... what is going on there? ~ ., cheltenham and... what is going on there? . . , . ., ., there? we have been chatting to --eole there? we have been chatting to people here _ there? we have been chatting to people here in — there? we have been chatting to people here in cheltenham i there? we have been chatting to people here in cheltenham this i people here in cheltenham this morning, this was the decade it's a very safe liberal cats eat, they won it from the conservatives at the general election are back in 1992 and they held it for 22 years. all the elections during that time, until of course, that crucial election back in 2015 when the

conservatives when it's back, when they took so many seats that they perhaps wouldn't done i defecting to. eversince perhaps wouldn't done i defecting to. ever since then, and every subsequent election, that margin that they had in 2015 has gotten thinner. back then it was 6000, in 2017, that a slimmed down to about 2000. then most recently in 2019 it was under 1000. this is one of those places in the uk where every single vote will count and we have been talking to people here about exactly what they make of events in downing street over the course of the past 48 hours. �* , , , 48 hours. i'm disgusted by the tolitics 48 hours. i'm disgusted by the politics in _ 48 hours. i'm disgusted by the politics in this _ 48 hours. i'm disgusted by the politics in this country, - 48 hours. i'm disgusted by the politics in this country, i'm i politics in this country, i'm disgusted with the government, the cabinet. _ disgusted with the government, the cabinet, the conduct of them, they have no— cabinet, the conduct of them, they have no scruples, they have no morals. — have no scruples, they have no morals, they have no integrity, and the lies_ morals, they have no integrity, and the lies that — morals, they have no integrity, and the lies that have come since boris went— the lies that have come since boris went on— the lies that have come since boris

went on his — the lies that have come since boris went on his campaign, it'sjust astounding. went on his campaign, it's 'ust astoundingfi went on his campaign, it's 'ust astoundint. . ., ., ., astounding. there are a lot of loyal members of _ astounding. there are a lot of loyal members of the _ astounding. there are a lot of loyal members of the tory _ astounding. there are a lot of loyal members of the tory government i astounding. there are a lot of loyal i members of the tory government who would _ members of the tory government who would have _ members of the tory government who would have normally— members of the tory government who would have normally supported - members of the tory government who would have normally supported boris, | would have normally supported boris, but where _ would have normally supported boris, but where it— would have normally supported boris, but where it all— would have normally supported boris, but where it all stems _ would have normally supported boris, but where it all stems from, - would have normally supported boris, but where it all stems from, i - would have normally supported boris, but where it all stems from, i don't i but where it all stems from, i don't know— but where it all stems from, i don't know whether— but where it all stems from, i don't know whether it _ but where it all stems from, i don't know whether it goes _ but where it all stems from, i don't know whether it goes back - but where it all stems from, i don't know whether it goes back to - but where it all stems from, i don't know whether it goes back to his i know whether it goes back to his partying — know whether it goes back to his partying days _ know whether it goes back to his partying days at _ know whether it goes back to his partying days at eton _ know whether it goes back to his partying days at eton or - know whether it goes back to his partying days at eton or whether| know whether it goes back to his i partying days at eton or whether he is a little _ partying days at eton or whether he is a little bit — partying days at eton or whether he is a little bit of— partying days at eton or whether he is a little bit of a _ partying days at eton or whether he is a little bit of a risk _ partying days at eton or whether he is a little bit of a risk taker, - partying days at eton or whether he is a little bit of a risk taker, we i is a little bit of a risk taker, we have _ is a little bit of a risk taker, we have needed _ is a little bit of a risk taker, we have needed that _ is a little bit of a risk taker, we have needed that at _ is a little bit of a risk taker, we have needed that at times i is a little bit of a risk taker, we have needed that at times to l is a little bit of a risk taker, we l have needed that at times to get is a little bit of a risk taker, we i have needed that at times to get us through— have needed that at times to get us through the — have needed that at times to get us through the various _ have needed that at times to get us through the various stages - have needed that at times to get us through the various stages that i have needed that at times to get usl through the various stages that were coming _ through the various stages that were coming up _ through the various stages that were coming up against _ through the various stages that were coming up against britain. _ through the various stages that were coming up against britain. but- through the various stages that were coming up against britain. but i- coming up against britain. but i feel now. — coming up against britain. but i feel now. too _ coming up against britain. but i feel now, too many— coming up against britain. but i feel now, too many people i coming up against britain. but i| feel now, too many people have coming up against britain. but i- feel now, too many people have lost faith in _ feel now, too many people have lost faith in his _ feel now, too many people have lost faith in his ability _ feel now, too many people have lost faith in his ability to _ feel now, too many people have lost faith in his ability to steer— feel now, too many people have lost faith in his ability to steer us - faith in his ability to steer us through— faith in his ability to steer us through in— faith in his ability to steer us through in an _ faith in his ability to steer us through in an honest - faith in his ability to steer us through in an honest and i faith in his ability to steer us i through in an honest and open faith in his ability to steer us - through in an honest and open way. he has— through in an honest and open way. he has left— through in an honest and open way. he has left it — through in an honest and open way. he has left it too _ through in an honest and open way. he has left it too late, _ through in an honest and open way. he has left it too late, we _ through in an honest and open way. he has left it too late, we haven't . he has left it too late, we haven't -ot he has left it too late, we haven't got anybody that comes to mind to take over. — got anybody that comes to mind to take over, because nobody is fit enough — take over, because nobody is fit enough to— take over, because nobody is fit enough to do the job.— take over, because nobody is fit enough to do the job. enough to do the 'ob. yes, some really interesting i enough to do the job. yes, some really interesting opinions i enough to do the job. yes, some really interesting opinions here l really interesting opinions here this morning and i think what was clear is that it doesn't matter who we stopped, everybody had something to say, there wasn't a single person we met he at all who hadn't been following, pretty closely, what had been going on in downing street over the past few days. the sitting mp

here, and he is part of the interesting question addressed behind that door in downing street, right now, because he resigned, less than 48 hours ago from his job under borisjohnson as a solicitor general. but the big question at the moment is come out of all of the resignations we have had over the past couple of days, more than 50 of course, all of those jobs that have now been left vacant and that you need to fill to have a functioning government, what is going to happen there? can you get all the people who resigned to then come back it borisjohnson who resigned to then come back it boris johnson that says that who resigned to then come back it borisjohnson that says that he will stay on for hap perhaps two or three months when there is an out leadership contest of the summer? will those people, who have left theirjobs, agreed to come back and fill those positions again? people like alex chalk, the cheltenham mp. will people say borisjohnson need to go earlier and fists of someone else to become a caretaker minister.

we will have more views from different parts of the uk as we go through the day. let's put to tape events in a bit of a wider context. we are going tojoin a events in a bit of a wider context. we are going to join a political scientist and political historian here. tim, very good morning, what you make of what is going on today and what is the parallel? is there a clear parallel with the previous prime ministerial resignation that might help us understand what is going on with this one? i might help us understand what is going on with this one?— going on with this one? i don't think we have _ going on with this one? i don't think we have ever _ going on with this one? i don't think we have ever seen i going on with this one? i don't think we have ever seen a i going on with this one? i don't i think we have ever seen a prime minister having to be told in such public terms by his or her colleagues that they are needed to go. we have had prime ministers before margaret thatcher and indeed, theresa may, who were told by colleagues that the game was up. but nothing like the same public reputation that we saw yesterday and indeed this morning. i think that

truly is unprecedented. i think the conservative party does face a really difficult a decision about borisjohnson over the next really difficult a decision about boris johnson over the next two really difficult a decision about borisjohnson over the next two or three months. you talked about a caretaker premier and astaire, boris johnson himself would be no more than a caretaker minister. is he the safe pair of hands that can be left to [air running the shop full stop while the leadership contest takes place. orare while the leadership contest takes place. or are conservative mps afraid he might act in ways that resemble some of the things he has been doing over the past few days? in which case, he is probably isn't thejob. in which case, he is probably isn't the 'ob. ., in which case, he is probably isn't the 'ob. . ., , the job. that the debate really, isn't it. the job. that the debate really, isn't it- it's _ the job. that the debate really, isn't it. it's the _ the job. that the debate really, isn't it. it's the one _ the job. that the debate really, isn't it. it's the one that - the job. that the debate really, isn't it. it's the one that is i isn't it. it's the one that is likely to bubble on throughout today. we wait to see what boris johnson himself has to say in a statement he is about to make shortly. but clearly, he wants to stay on as prime minister until the autumn. i'mjust thinking, what challenges does that pose in terms of the functioning of government, if he can prove he can populate all

these ministries with people who are happy to serve, is there really a fundamental problem with him staying on in those circumstances? i5 on in those circumstances? i3 slightly depends on what he wants to do. i think theresa may, for example, found it's actually quite difficult to get any of her agenda, or what is left of her agenda, through once it was clear that she was going to be replaced. really, borisjohnson willjust have to keep the ship steady, obviously he can still do what he has been doing on ukraine, but as far as economic policy, he will have to completely leave that to the chancellor, can't have any say in the running of that. he won't be able to exercise the power and control over the agenda that one would expect from a prime minister. ~ . ., ., that one would expect from a prime minister. . . . ., , , that one would expect from a prime minister. t . . ., , , , that one would expect from a prime minister. . . . . , , , minister. which again brings us back to the question _ minister. which again brings us back to the question i _ minister. which again brings us back to the question i was _ minister. which again brings us back to the question i was asking - minister. which again brings us back to the question i was asking chris i to the question i was asking chris mason about earlier. what would motivate the prime minister, or borisjohnson in this case, to stay

on in these circumstances, with his power, very limited or restricted or at least the potential for lots of conflict between him and civil servants and other ministers? it's a very complex situation to be looking ahead to. if very complex situation to be looking ahead to. ii i very complex situation to be looking ahead to. , ., ahead to. if i were flippant i would sa he ahead to. if i were flippant i would say he might— ahead to. if i were flippant i would say he might want _ ahead to. if i were flippant i would say he might want to _ ahead to. if i were flippant i would say he might want to try _ ahead to. if i were flippant i would say he might want to try to - ahead to. if i were flippant i would say he might want to try to make i ahead to. if i were flippant i would i say he might want to try to make up the disaster of the last few days. and show he can actually be trusted as the chief executive of the uk plc. he might hope that he can somehow undo the damage that he has done to his rotation and indeed to the reputation of the conservative party. it may well give him a few more pages for the last chapter of his prime ministerial memoirs which is something i'm sure he will be thinking of as well. he must be thinking, now, after downing street his career will be very much part of that. ., �* ~' his career will be very much part of that. ., �* ~ ., ., ., that. couldn't we think of another case of a prime _

that. couldn't we think of another case of a prime minister - that. couldn't we think of another case of a prime minister who i that. couldn't we think of another case of a prime minister who has| that. couldn't we think of another i case of a prime minister who has won a pretty handsome majority at westminster, in his case, less than three years ago, who have found themselves in a position, the accumulated position that he is in today. that decline over a relatively short space of time, is that a case unto itself? ida relatively short space of time, is that a case unto itself?— that a case unto itself? no it's not. that a case unto itself? no it's not- you _ that a case unto itself? no it's not. you will— that a case unto itself? no it's not. you will likely _ that a case unto itself? no it's not. you will likely remember| not. you will likely remember margaret thatcher who won a thumping majority in 1987 and by 1989 she was in a real trouble and, of course by 1990 she was gone. even when we look at tony blair, he won a decent majority of 60 something in 2005, by 2007 his own mps were baying for his blood. it does seem... we live in an age where voters are very volatile, parties themselves are very volatile and once for use by date has seen to have passed, people want to get rid of you. in have passed, people want to get rid of ou. , ., ~ .,

of you. in terms of the kind of leader that — of you. in terms of the kind of leader that the _ of you. in terms of the kind of leader that the conservatives | of you. in terms of the kind of i leader that the conservatives might look ahead to next, when we consider that they are up against keir starmer, who in many ways has defined himself as everything that's borisjohnson is not. what will they be looking to, what will be the kind of leadership qualities that will help the party turned the corner that it clearly needs to turn if it's going to be in a good position come the next election? i it's going to be in a good position come the next election?- it's going to be in a good position come the next election? i think they trobabl come the next election? i think they probably will — come the next election? i think they probably will want _ come the next election? i think they probably will want a _ come the next election? i think they probably will want a rather - come the next election? i think they probably will want a rather steady i come the next election? i think they probably will want a rather steady a | probably will want a rather steady a character than borisjohnson. they will want to person who can get a grip on the organisation in ten downing street but who has a sense of a coherent agenda, even if that means someone who is a bit more ideological than borisjohnson. i ideological than boris johnson. i think ideological than borisjohnson. i think the public for the conservative party is going forward is that what it takes to win a conservative party leadership contest, in other words, appealing to the base if you like, is not necessarily what it takes to appeal

to the rest of the country. and indeed it might even be what the economy needs right now. they are really going to have to balance that. if they want to move back towards any kind of limits on public spending, that may shatter the electoral coalition that boris johnson built in 2019. it wasn't just about getting back to town, it was about getting brexit done it so more could be spared and... if they completely abandon that agenda for a smaller stake of tax cuts, i'm not sure that they will be able to put that election coalition are back together again in time for the 2023 or 24 election. but of course, there is the possibility that whoever takes over causes a snap election. so hang on to your seats. just takes over causes a snap election. so hang on to your seats.- so hang on to your seats. just a finalthought. — so hang on to your seats. just a final thought, you _ so hang on to your seats. just a finalthought, you have - so hang on to your seats. just a finalthought, you have gone i so hang on to your seats. just a final thought, you have gone through some qualities there that a new leader might want to bring in terms

of the party's future prospects. as you survey the front benches and the backbenches, who for you would be fitting are some of those categories rather well? fitting are some of those categories ratherwell? i fitting are some of those categories rather well? i do certain individuals that you think who were more promising as far as the party is concerned than others? i don't think richey sooner�*s bridges are totally bound although his star has waned. if you look at someone like sajid javid, there is someone like sajid javid, there is someone who has done a number of the topjobs in cabinet, probably more than most politicians i can remember, and who has made a decent fist of most of them. i guess liz truss would probably be the one who appealed to the instincts of the party, at least the grassroots and some of the parliamentary party. but it might decide, it is unlikely, but it might decide, it is unlikely, but it might decide to go for a clean

skin. i think the transition from backbench to front bench is quite a difficult one to pull off, but he might make it.— difficult one to pull off, but he might make it. difficult one to pull off, but he mitht make it. ., ., ~ ., might make it. good to talk to you. the political — might make it. good to talk to you. the political scientist. _ might make it. good to talk to you. the political scientist. you - might make it. good to talk to you. the political scientist. you are i the political scientist. you are watching bbc news. it is mid—day on thursday the 7th ofjuly. we are live in downing street. boris johnson will resign as conservative party later today. the party will elect a new leader who will take over as prime minister in the autumn, eventually. borisjohnson wants to stay on until the autumn. in the last few moments, borisjohnson has appointed a full replacment cabinet. greg clark becomes the new levelling up secretary, kit malthouse becomes cabinet office minister, and james cleverly is the latest education secretary it comes after the new chancellor tells the prime minister to quit,

following an avalanche of resignations and mounting pressure from other senior conservatives to go. what conservatives to go. is happened —— what has happened what is happened —— what has happened is ministers referring to a lack of integrity and it is much better the pm goes no rather than dragging it out and find that he has knowingly misled the house because that would be a disaster. buckingham palace declines to comment on whether the queen has had any communication with borisjohnson on thursday morning.

welcome to westminster and downing street. we are outside number ten, expecting a statement from boris johnson any time in the next hour or so because he has decided that he can no longer continue as leader of the conservative party. lots of his colleagues have made it plain that he no longer enjoys their confidence. lots of ministerial resignations yesterday and this morning. those included the northern ireland secretary brandon lewis in the education secretary michelle donelan, who had only been in the postjust donelan, who had only been in the post just over a donelan, who had only been in the postjust over a day. mrjohnson let it be known he would be resigning as leader today. it be known he would be resigning as leadertoday. but, it be known he would be resigning as leader today. but, a very big but, he plans to remain in post as prime minister until a successor is chosen and that could go on until the autumn, and as we have been reflecting, that is the cause of a heated debate, notjust within the conservative party, but in politics generally. what we have had is dozens of ministers and ministerial

aide stepping down over the past few days. they have been complaining about the prime minister's perceived lack of integrity, lack of incompetence, perceived lack of honesty and in the past 15 minutes orso honesty and in the past 15 minutes or so borisjohnson has started to appoint replacements for those vacancies, those people who have left. james cleverly has come in as education secretary. he is the third person to hold that post in three days. just a sign of some of their political chaos that we have been seeing. to underline again, if you arejoining us on this momentous day in downing street, and the handover of power barely three years after borisjohnson of power barely three years after boris johnson arrived of power barely three years after borisjohnson arrived here as a new prime minister, succeeding theresa may. in telling the world that he is resigning as conservative party leader today, resigning as conservative party leadertoday, he resigning as conservative party leader today, he is serving as leader today, he is serving as leaderfor leader today, he is serving as leader for less leader today, he is serving as leaderfor less time as leader today, he is serving as leader for less time as theresa may did. so anotherfairly rapid

changeover, except in this instance mrjohnson is doing so barely three years, having won a very solid majority at westminster at the general election. we are expecting a statement from the prime minister at some point. there is no click turn in downing street yet so we can say confidently that he is not about to come out. having said that, we are expecting that it will be before long. let's talk to our political editor chris mason. we have been following comings and goings over the last few days but today we have a new cabinet. the last few days but today we have a new cabinet-— a new cabinet. another new appointment _ a new cabinet. another new appointment in _ a new cabinet. another new appointment in the - a new cabinet. another new appointment in the last i a new cabinet. another new i appointment in the last couple of minutes, so robert buckland is secretary of state for wales. he is originally from south wales and is a lawyer in swansea for a good number of years. he has accepted the call to return to government. he had previously been in government under borisjohnson to serve in this interim capacity as borisjohnson

helps over the next three months, as we have been reporting, james cleverly appointed as education secretary for england, kit malthouse reappointed into government and we are seeing the same with some others as well. more appointments to come, we expect. it wouldn't on the face of it look like a radical reshuffle of it look like a radical reshuffle of the cabinet pack and it would seem, as things stand, that those cabinet ministers who had seen the prime minister yesterday and told him he should resign but hadn't resigned themselves, they would appear to be willing to carry on in office. so the prime minister expected here shortly, within the hour, it wouldn't surprise me if it was within the next ten or 15 minutes or so. and then we will hear from the prime minister within the next hour, making the case, which will be fascinating to hear, firstly his reflections on his time as prime minister. what does he regard as his

legacy? be keenly contested by journalists, the electorate and historians. but how will he define historians. but how will he define his legacy? and crucially, how willie frame the argument that justifies in his own mind the desire to carry on as prime minister until october? because crucially his parliamentary party have the capacity to remove him as conservative leader, they have done that. removing him as a prime minister is different because that is an appointment from the queen. so it is very tricky territory. we can now report that we expect the prime minister to be here at 1230 pm. the expected time of the statement has moved several times already this morning and it is entirely possible it will move again. i notice that one of borisjohnson's former colleagues in the daily telegraph said that if his capacity to keep to deadlines when he was writing columns is anything to go by, it

mightjust have the capacity to slip a little! �* , , :: , mightjust have the capacity to slip a little! �*, , :: , ., a little! let's see! 20 minutes or so to wait _ a little! let's see! 20 minutes or so to wait for— a little! let's see! 20 minutes or so to wait for that _ a little! let's see! 20 minutes or so to wait for that statement. i so to wait for that statement. viewers watching, you may well be asking yourself, chris is telling that about new cabinet appointments from a prime minister who is resigning and putting those together is slightly bizarre. it is. resigning and putting those together is slightly bizarre.— is slightly bizarre. it is, because cruciall , is slightly bizarre. it is, because crucially. and — is slightly bizarre. it is, because crucially, and it _ is slightly bizarre. it is, because crucially, and it is _ is slightly bizarre. it is, because crucially, and it is a _ is slightly bizarre. it is, because crucially, and it is a key - is slightly bizarre. it is, because crucially, and it is a key thing i is slightly bizarre. it is, because crucially, and it is a key thing toj crucially, and it is a key thing to remember and why it is so important to listen to his words when he stands behind us shortly, is that he is resigning as conservative party leader, he is not resigning as prime minister. as we understand it from the briefing this morning. once there is a vacancy for conservative party leader, there can be a conservative leadership race which we anticipate will star, is pretty much under way already, with the timeframe talked about this morning in their happening over the period

of the next three months. constitutionally, we always have a prime minister and unless prime minister were to tell us and then tell her majesty the queen that he was standing down as prime minister, he will continue in that post until there is a new leader of a party that can command a majority at westminster, the conservatives, the next leader of the conservative party, who will then be the next prime minister. idate party, who will then be the next prime minister.— party, who will then be the next prime minister. we will put some of those points — prime minister. we will put some of those points to _ prime minister. we will put some of those points to one _ prime minister. we will put some of those points to one of— prime minister. we will put some of those points to one of their - prime minister. we will put some of those points to one of their prime . those points to one of their prime minister's party colleagues and that is sir bob neill, the conservative mp for bromley. he is outside the green. thanks forjoining us. if the prime minister signalled he is giving up as leader but not as prime minister until the autumn, what will your response be? i minister until the autumn, what will your response be?— your response be? i think that is too lont. your response be? i think that is too long- we _ your response be? i think that is too long. we need _ your response be? i think that is too long. we need to _ your response be? i think that is too long. we need to have i your response be? i think that is too long. we need to have their| too long. we need to have their process much more truncated because i don't think it is satisfactory at the best of times to have these long handover period but i think the

circumstances of the prime minister's departure in this incident mean we should be looking for the process to be speeded up, finish before parliament rises for the summer we should look to have an interim prime minister. i don't think it is right for him to stay on for any length of time.— for any length of time. what will ha- ten for any length of time. what will happen among _ for any length of time. what will happen among you _ for any length of time. what will happen among you and - for any length of time. what will happen among you and your i for any length of time. what will - happen among you and your colleagues if the prime minister emerges here in 20 minutes and it says precisely as i have underlined, i am giving up as i have underlined, i am giving up as party leader but i do intend for continuity reasons and whatever healthy might say to stay until the autumn? what will your colleagues be giving? i autumn? what will your colleagues be ttivin ? ., autumn? what will your colleagues be ttivin? . ., ., , autumn? what will your colleagues be a ivint ? ., ., ., , , ., autumn? what will your colleagues be giving? i have already started to make a clear _ giving? i have already started to make a clear and _ giving? i have already started to make a clear and a _ giving? i have already started to make a clear and a number i giving? i have already started to make a clear and a number of i make a clear and a number of colleagues share this view that the chairman of the 1922 committee who has behaved very well in all of this should be speaking urgently to the leadership of the national conservative convention, the voluntary end of the conservative party. between them they have it

within their power to expedite the timetable for the election of a leader, it doesn't have to be set out as in the rules. there can be exceptional circumstances and i think they should do so. we shall move on and i wonder if it is really sensible including for the prime minister to hang on...— sensible including for the prime minister to hang on... great, go for it. yeah. great. _ minister to hang on... great, go for it. yeah. great. ok. _ minister to hang on... great, go for it. yeah. great. ok. that— minister to hang on... great, go for it. yeah. great. ok. that will- minister to hang on... great, go for it. yeah. great. ok. that will be i minister to hang on... great, go for it. yeah. great. ok. that will be a i it. yeah. great. ok. that will be a neater and — it. yeah. great. ok. that will be a neater and less _ it. yeah. great. ok. that will be a neater and less drawn _ it. yeah. great. ok. that will be a neater and less drawn out - it. yeah. great. ok. that will be a neater and less drawn out means | it. yeah. great. ok. that will be a i neater and less drawn out means of dealing with it.— dealing with it. sorry, bob, what are our dealing with it. sorry, bob, what are your people _ dealing with it. sorry, bob, what are your people in _ dealing with it. sorry, bob, what are your people in bromley i dealing with it. sorry, bob, what are your people in bromley and i are your people in bromley and chislehurst telling you? it are your people in bromley and chislehurst telling you?- chislehurst telling you? it was re chislehurst telling you? it was pretty clear — chislehurst telling you? it was pretty clear even _ chislehurst telling you? it was pretty clear even going - chislehurst telling you? it was pretty clear even going back i chislehurst telling you? it was | pretty clear even going back to the... we never lost them before and that was because of a breakdown in

trust with the prime minister. people often supported him very strongly in the past but that has changed and it is because we need to rebuild that trust with the country that i put the view we need a change of prime minister and given all the important issues that that country faces, i think we need to make that change as soon as possible rather than hanging around. i’m change as soon as possible rather than hanging around.— change as soon as possible rather than hanging around. i'm going to ask ou than hanging around. i'm going to ask you the _ than hanging around. i'm going to ask you the question _ than hanging around. i'm going to ask you the question as _ than hanging around. i'm going to ask you the question as i - than hanging around. i'm going to ask you the question as i did i ask you the question as i did earlier to some of your colleagues, is there someone who you think fit the bill right now and is what the party needs? i the bill right now and is what the party needs?— party needs? i can think of up to half a dozen _ party needs? i can think of up to half a dozen people _ party needs? i can think of up to half a dozen people were - party needs? i can think of up to | half a dozen people were capable party needs? i can think of up to i half a dozen people were capable of fitting the bill and so i am not on anyone�*s individual leadership campaign and i think a number of people, current miss lee mack ministers, and some who ought to be ministers, and some who ought to be ministers, all of whom will be capable of stepping up to the mark. what are the qualities that person will need to bring to the job so us conservatives can go into the next

election being able to say that boris johnson's election being able to say that borisjohnson�*s problems are well and truly behind you? the boris johnson's problems are well and truly behind you?— and truly behind you? the first important _ and truly behind you? the first important thing _ and truly behind you? the first important thing is _ and truly behind you? the first important thing is somebody i and truly behind you? the first i important thing is somebody who and truly behind you? the first - important thing is somebody who can rebuild trust with the british public. that means someone who is going to be straight with them, someone who will level with them about the difficulties we face, and it is straightforward. someone who rebuilt the government on a much broader base. we can't have a government where it is just those who had been that current prime minister's ally. we need talent from across the whole of the party. thirdly, we need eight relentless focus on efficiency and focus on government, actually later on in on the things that really matter, the cost of living crisis, energy costs, rising bills. concentrate on that, scrape the extraneous matters of the agenda, the barnacles off the boat,

and concentrate on the things that really matter. we and concentrate on the things that really matter-— really matter. we are live in downing _ really matter. we are live in downing street _ really matter. we are live in downing street and - really matter. we are live in downing street and you - really matter. we are live in downing street and you add| really matter. we are live in - downing street and you add live there on the green outside parliament. it is quarter past 12, and we expect the prime minister to appear here in about 15 minutes. you have made your view very clear about whether or not he should stay on as prime minister. but let's talk about the message. what is a message you would like to hearfrom him? what does he need to say in this statement? l does he need to say in this statement?— does he need to say in this statement? ~' , ., statement? i think he needs to acce -t statement? i think he needs to accept frankly _ statement? i think he needs to accept frankly that _ statement? i think he needs to accept frankly that sadly - statement? i think he needs to accept frankly that sadly things have gone wrong, that the position was untenable. there must be a tone of humility for what has gone wrong. and a recognition that for however long he says, hisjob now is and a recognition that for however long he says, his job now is solely to ensure a smooth transition in he should not attempt to fetter or tie his successors's hand in the course

they take. less bombast, short, to they take. less bombast, short, to the point, get that tone wright, realised that sadly he has got things he can take credit for, vaccine roll—out, leadership in ukraine, he will want to make sure that continues, but for the rest, keep it short, to the point and move on and let your successor in due course come in and have their own agenda. we course come in and have their own aaenda. ~ , , agenda. we will see if he is listening- — agenda. we will see if he is listening. thank _ agenda. we will see if he is listening. thank you - agenda. we will see if he is listening. thank you for - agenda. we will see if he is - listening. thank you for talking to us, bob. sir bob neil, the conservative mp for bromley and chislehurst. thanks to him by spending time with us and for being so clear about his view that the prime minister should not be staying in office until the autumn. sir bob was saying he wants a truncated process to elect a new leader of the conservative party and therefore a new prime minister. that is a view thatis new prime minister. that is a view that is referred from others but we have spoken to other conservative mps as well who think the prime

minister is perfectly entitled to make a case for continuity, having announced he is leaving as conservative leader but staying in office until a new person is elected. that debate is bubbling away and it will reach boiling point probably for the conservative party, when they hear the message in 15 minutes' time, the prime minister confirming that he intends to stay in office until the autumn or at least the party conference season, end of september, beginning of october. that is a debate. we had from that labour leader keir starmer earlier, who has been describing his response to the events overnight and then use today about the resignation of borisjohnson, and insisting that in his view, and he would say this as labour leader, that the country needs a new start. he as labour leader, that the country needs a new start.— as labour leader, that the country needs a new start. he needs to go completely. _ needs a new start. he needs to go completely, none _ needs a new start. he needs to go completely, none of— needs a new start. he needs to go completely, none of this - needs a new start. he needs to go| completely, none of this nonsense about clinging on for a few months.

he has inflicted lies, fraud and chaos in the country and we are stuck with a government which isn't functioning in the middle of a cost of living crisis and all of those that have been propping him up should be utterly ashamed of himself. we have had 12 years of a stagnant economy, 12 years a broken public services, 12 years of empty promises. enough is enough. the change we need, not a change at the top of the tory party, it is much more fundamental than that. we need a change of government and a fresh start for britain. ll a change of government and a fresh start for britain.— start for britain. it doesn't look look like he _ start for britain. it doesn't look look like he will _ start for britain. it doesn't look look like he will get _ start for britain. it doesn't look look like he will get a - start for britain. it doesn't look look like he will get a general | look like he will get a general election if hejust look like he will get a general election if he just swapped leaders. he needs to go. he can't cling on in this way. his own party have concluded that he is unfit to be prime minister. they can't now inflict him on the country for the next few months. it is obvious he is unfit to be prime minister and that has been blindingly obvious for a very long time and if they don't get

rid of him, then labour will step up in the national interest and bring a vote of no confidence because we can't go on with this prime minister clinging on for months and months to come. ~ ., �* ., come. wouldn't that unite the conservative _ come. wouldn't that unite the conservative party? _ come. wouldn't that unite the conservative party? i- come. wouldn't that unite the conservative party? i don't. come. wouldn't that unite the i conservative party? i don't think an hinu conservative party? i don't think anything is _ conservative party? i don't think anything is going _ conservative party? i don't think anything is going to _ conservative party? i don't think anything is going to unite - conservative party? i don't think anything is going to unite this i anything is going to unite this conservative party! they are tearing each other apart. and what we have got, in the middle of a cost of living crisis, is a government that can't function. and that is why i say he can't cling on, they have declared him unfit to be prime minister. you can't inflict him on the country for the next few months. if they don't get rid of him, we will bring that vote of no confidence in the national interest because we can't go on with this broken government led by this discredited prime minister. boris johnson in some _ discredited prime minister. boris johnson in some ways _ discredited prime minister. boris johnson in some ways with - discredited prime minister. boris johnson in some ways with your biggest asset if you are going to go to the country. when you lose him, you will have more of a problem, won't you?— you will have more of a problem, won't ou? ., , ., ., , won't you? the conservative party has been in _ won't you? the conservative party has been in power _ won't you? the conservative party has been in power for _ won't you? the conservative party has been in power for 12 _

won't you? the conservative party has been in power for 12 years. - won't you? the conservative party has been in power for 12 years. 12 | has been in powerfor12 years. 12 years of a stagnant economy. 12 years of a stagnant economy. 12 years a broken public services. 12 years a broken public services. 12 years of empty promises. we need a fresh start and that is why i say changing the person at the top of the conservative party is not the fundamental change that we need. we need a change of government, a fresh start for our country. but need a change of government, a fresh start for our country.— start for our country. but it doesnt start for our country. but it doesn't look _ start for our country. but it doesn't look like _ start for our country. but it doesn't look like you - start for our country. but it doesn't look like you will. start for our country. but it i doesn't look like you will get start for our country. but it - doesn't look like you will get the general election you would want now, does it? ~ does it? well, we need... the country is _ does it? well, we need... the country is crying _ does it? well, we need... the country is crying out _ does it? well, we need... the country is crying out for - does it? well, we need... the i country is crying out for change! does it? well, we need... the - country is crying out for change! we have been stuck with a government that has not been functioning in the middle of a cost of living crisis. and now changing the person at the top of the conservative party is not going to make any difference whatsoever. people want change. a fresh start for britain. and that means we need a change of government, a labour government. is government, a labour government. is there nobody that you put right as a good opponent, someone who will be in against you? this good opponent, someone who will be in against you?— in against you? this isn't a question — in against you? this isn't a question about _ in against you? this isn't a question about who - in against you? this isn't a question about who leads l in against you? this isn't a i question about who leads the conservative party. it is much more fundamental. they have been in party

for 12 years, of empty promises, a stagnant economy, low wages, inflation and prices through the roof. we need a fresh start, a change of government, a labour government. change of government, a labour government-— change of government, a labour government. change of government, a labour covernment. , ., i. ., government. given what you say about the government. _ government. given what you say about the government, you _ government. given what you say about the government, you haven't - government. given what you say about the government, you haven't cut - the government, you haven't cut through as you might want to. how can you do something about that now? we have come from a general election where we did very badly to local elections where we have made considerable ground and a by—election with a huge swing to the labour party in wakefield. the change we need is a change in government. we need a labour government. we need a labour government. we need a labour government-— government. we need a labour covernment. . ., , ., ., government. we are ready for that. keir starmer _ government. we are ready for that. keir starmer speaking _ government. we are ready for that. keir starmer speaking to _ government. we are ready for that. keir starmer speaking to the - government. we are ready for that. keir starmer speaking to the bbc i government. we are ready for that. keir starmer speaking to the bbc a | keir starmer speaking to the bbc a short while ago. we live in downing street, awaiting the prime minister's statement in about nine

or ten minutes. if it is on time. and there we have the helicopter shot above whitehall, above the treasury and the foreign office and downing street itself and if you look at carefully, the screen, you can see the assembled ranks of the media, the world's media and chris mason and i among them waiting for this statement. and there on the right we can see that garden at the back of number 10 downing street and at the top right hand side, that is the edge of st james's park. downing street running down the middle of the screen and you can see the crowd of the media facing number 10 downing street. and then you can just see, we have beenjoined by a lot of the stuff from number 11 downing st, just in the corner, near the chief whips's residence. if we go to live into downing street now where chris and i are standing, you

can see the crowd assembling behind us. the lectern is making its way out. let's take a look.— out. let's take a look. here it comes now- _ out. let's take a look. here it comes now. there _ out. let's take a look. here it comes now. there it - out. let's take a look. here it comes now. there it is - out. let's take a look. here it comes now. there it is being | out. let's take a look. here it i comes now. there it is being put out. let's take a look. here it - comes now. there it is being put in lace in comes now. there it is being put in place in front _ comes now. there it is being put in place in front of— comes now. there it is being put in place in front of number— comes now. there it is being put in place in front of number 10 - comes now. there it is being put in | place in front of number 10 downing street. and with the staff out of number 11 downing st looking on from the left hand side. and just some adjustments to make sure it is right in the centre of frame. and right in front of the door. and just a few adjustments on the microphone. so thatis adjustments on the microphone. so that is the confirmation, chris, that is the confirmation, chris, that we can expect a statement very soon. ., , ., that we can expect a statement very soon. . , ., . , soon. that is right, that lectern is in lace, soon. that is right, that lectern is in place. so _ soon. that is right, that lectern is in place, so within _ soon. that is right, that lectern is in place, so within the _ soon. that is right, that lectern is in place, so within the next - soon. that is right, that lectern is in place, so within the next ten i in place, so within the next ten minutes or so we will hear from the prime minister. and this is a moment of transition is a prime minister comes out and says that his

departure is imminent. just looking over my shoulder, beyond the shot you are saying, senior staff in downing street. andrew griffith, the mp for sussex, among the throng. for many, theirfuture into downing street will not be a long one from here on in. when you see these gatherings of staff, you'd notice it is a moment of history, a point where a prime minister is going to come out and say, just two and a half years of winning a big majority in the general election, and he will stand by. we will hear the exact words borisjohnson chooses, how we chooses to describe his own legacy and how he chooses to justify his decision. also his decision to carry on as prime minister until the autumn. it

on as prime minister until the autumn. , ., on as prime minister until the autumn. , . ., �* autumn. it is that debate that we've been hearing _ autumn. it is that debate that we've been hearing during _ autumn. it is that debate that we've been hearing during the _ autumn. it is that debate that we've been hearing during the morning i been hearing during the morning about whether he a note of defiance and says, i still have a job to do and says, i still have a job to do and i'm still carrying on, or whether he does actually manage to summon up some more humility, is one of his own colleagues called for earlier. there is a scene in whitehall. a big crowd gathered outside the gates of downing street there. and we have had a bit of entertainment from the crowd already with some music being played, as it is often on these big political occasions. and the crowd stretching down whitehall and even across the road towards the location of the ministry of defence, which is not too far away. everyone aware that it is one of those rare days when we have a changeover in government, a new prime minister eventually going to be appointed, possibly in the autumn, but as chris was saying, thatis autumn, but as chris was saying, that is part of the debate about the statement today. we

that is part of the debate about the statement today.— statement today. we have seen it -la in: statement today. we have seen it playing out _ statement today. we have seen it playing out on _ statement today. we have seen it playing out on bbc— statement today. we have seen it playing out on bbc news - statement today. we have seen it playing out on bbc news in - statement today. we have seen it playing out on bbc news in the i statement today. we have seen it i playing out on bbc news in the last couple of hours that they are conservative mps who simply do not think it is tenable for boris johnson to continue until the autumn. and we have seen in response to that appointment after appointment from the cabinet to more junior positions. andrew stephenson appointed minister without portfolio. borisjohnson determined to make the case that he can assemble a functioning interim government until the autumn. you have a very — government until the autumn. you have a very good _ government until the autumn. you have a very good view of downing street with their flags flying above numbers ten and ii street with their flags flying above numbers ten and 11 downing st and the whip squatters over to the left. there you can see their decking and the terrace where we saw those controversial images of one of the gatherings during lockdown, and there were questions asked about what exactly was going on at that time, whether they were gatherings or not. and then we can see the

inner courtyards within downing street itself and just a little sense for you of how slightly higgledy—piggledy the whole complex is. it is a georgian complex, initially, but now it has evolved into something with lots of different bits to the building, lots of corridors coming in and out and over towards whitehall and the cabinet office on the other side. there you can see there are ranks of the media on the right—hand side. into the forecourt there of the courtyard of the foreign office on the right—hand side, where we can see cars parked. our political correspondent is joining see cars parked. our political correspondent isjoining me. nick, it is one of those days where we sense that big things are about to happen. we are not quite sure in what terms the prime minister will actually introduce the notion of his own departure and it is notjust a question of tone, it is also a

question, in this case, precisely what his plans are and when precisely he thinks he will be out of office. ., , precisely he thinks he will be out of office. . , ., _, , , of office. that is not completely in his hands- — of office. that is not completely in his hands. the _ of office. that is not completely in his hands. the expectation - of office. that is not completely in his hands. the expectation is - of office. that is not completely in his hands. the expectation is that| his hands. the expectation is that the prime — his hands. the expectation is that the prime minister will say he is going _ the prime minister will say he is going to — the prime minister will say he is going to stand down as tory leader, to start _ going to stand down as tory leader, to start an— going to stand down as tory leader, to start an election contest. he would — to start an election contest. he would remain prime minister in the meantime — would remain prime minister in the meantime. firstly, there are a number— meantime. firstly, there are a number of— meantime. firstly, there are a number of conservatives saying they think it _ number of conservatives saying they think it is _ number of conservatives saying they think it is untenable the idea that he will_ think it is untenable the idea that he will stay in office for eight weeks — he will stay in office for eight weeks or— he will stay in office for eight weeks or months. secondly, it is not up weeks or months. secondly, it is not up to— weeks or months. secondly, it is not up to him _ weeks or months. secondly, it is not up to him because in 1922 committee, the committee of backbenchers we have heard so much about in the last few days. _ have heard so much about in the last few days, they decide the timetable. they could _ few days, they decide the timetable. they could decide on quite a quick timetable — they could decide on quite a quick timetable if they agree with those tory mps — timetable if they agree with those tory mps think this needs to be over quickly _ tory mps think this needs to be over ruickl . tory mps think this needs to be over i uickl . ., tory mps think this needs to be over ruickl . ., , ., , ., quickly. some of their shouts going on. just to quickly. some of their shouts going on- just to you _ quickly. some of their shouts going on. just to you of— quickly. some of their shouts going on. just to you of this _ quickly. some of their shouts going on. just to you of this is _ quickly. some of their shouts going on. just to you of this is all - quickly. some of their shouts going on. just to you of this is all to - on. just to you of this is all to do with setting the lectern in exactly the right place in downing street because lots of the photographers

understandably wanted putting in exactly the right position. it is a great view we have because we have a parade, all the stands in place for their beating retreat and the other ceremonial glossaries that are being played out on horse guard at this time of the air. and that is right at the left—hand side and behind the wooded area of the downing street garden. and then we can see at the top of frame, whitehall itself, with the cenotaph down to the right—hand side and their tribute to the women of war on the left—hand side and the big white building of the ministry of defence on the left and the department of health on the right, just to give you a sense of some of their geography as we see this. lots of this, nick, part of a ceremonial route which the prime minister, the outgoing prime minister, is very familiar with because it is the route to the palace to see her

majesty, if there is an opportunity at that point to exchange the seals of office. but that goes to the heart of today's debate about boris johnson's decision that for all kinds of reason that he may actually want to express in this statement, he feels that he should be allowed to stay on, which is why we have had these cabinet appointments today as well. so we will see exactly how he wants to present that argument, not just to his own colleagues in the apartment and notjust just to his own colleagues in the apartment and not just to other parliamentary colleagues, but to the country. because this is a speech to a much wider audience than conservative mps. . , , ., conservative mps. absolutely, and i think art conservative mps. absolutely, and i think part of — conservative mps. absolutely, and i think part of what _ conservative mps. absolutely, and i think part of what boris _ conservative mps. absolutely, and i think part of what boris johnson - think part of what boris johnson will try— think part of what boris johnson will try and do over the next few minutes— will try and do over the next few minutes is— will try and do over the next few minutes is to try and explain to the country— minutes is to try and explain to the country what he thinks he has achieved, _ country what he thinks he has achieved, what he thinks he could still do _ achieved, what he thinks he could still do in — achieved, what he thinks he could still do in the next few weeks before — still do in the next few weeks before he depart as prime minister. he has— before he depart as prime minister. he has been a divisive politician. boris _ he has been a divisive politician. borisjohnson has always been divisive —

borisjohnson has always been divisive. just watching now in the street— divisive. just watching now in the street and — divisive. just watching now in the street and his family coming out, senior— street and his family coming out, senior ministers, his wife carrying one of— senior ministers, his wife carrying one of his — senior ministers, his wife carrying one of his children coming out into downing _ one of his children coming out into downing street as well on both sides thereat— downing street as well on both sides thereat ministerial team is out to see their— thereat ministerial team is out to see their prime minister's final words — see their prime minister's final words. �* , . ., see their prime minister's final words. �*, _, . ,, see their prime minister's final words. �*, ., words. let's come back to downing street and lets _ words. let's come back to downing street and lets look _ words. let's come back to downing street and lets look at _ words. let's come back to downing street and lets look at the - words. let's come back to downing street and lets look at the crowd i street and lets look at the crowd outside number 11 because we have carriejohnson and we have the little baby and nadine dorries, one of the prime minister's most loyal and enthusiastic colleagues. all of them here to witness what is for them here to witness what is for them surely a moment that they didn't think they would be witnessing at this relatively early stage in a prime minister's career. it is remarkable to think that it is only being — it is remarkable to think that it is only being two and a half years since _ only being two and a half years since borisjohnson won only being two and a half years since boris johnson won that incredible majority which gave him the chance — incredible majority which gave him the chance to govern. let�*s incredible majority which gave him the chance to govern.— incredible majority which gave him the chance to govern. let's see what the chance to govern. let's see what the prime minister _ the chance to govern. let's see what the prime minister has _ the chance to govern. let's see what the prime minister has to _ the chance to govern. let's see what the prime minister has to say. - the chance to govern. let's see what the prime minister has to say. good | the prime minister has to say. good afternoon, everybody. _ the prime minister has to say. (ems afternoon, everybody. good

afternoon. thank you. it is clearly now there will of the parliamentary conservative party that there should be a new leader of that party and therefore a new prime minister. and i have agreed with sir graham brady that the process of choosing that new leader should begin now and the timetable will be announced next week and i have appointed a cabinet today to serve as i will enter the new leader is in place. i want to say to the millions of people who voted for us in 2019, many voting conservative for the first time, thank you for that incredible mandate, the biggest conservative majority since 1987, the biggest share of the vote since 1979. and the reason i have fought so hard in the reason i have fought so hard in the last few days to deliver that mandate in person was notjust because i wanted to do so but

because i wanted to do so but because i wanted to do so but because i felt it was myjob, my duty my obligation to you to continue to do what we promised in you to continue to do what we promised in 2019. i am immensely and i am immensely proud, settling our relations with the continent for over half a century, reclaiming the power for this country to make its own laws empowerment. and leading the west in standing to beauty and's aggression in ukraine. let me say now to the people of ukraine that i know that we in the uk will continue to back your fight forfreedom for as long uk will continue to back your fight for freedom for as long as it takes. . at the same time in this country, we have been pushing forward a vast

programme of infrastructure, skills and technology, the biggest in a century, because if i have one insight into human beings, it is the enthusiasm and imagination are evenly distributed throughout the population, but opportunity is not and that is why we must keep levelling up, keep unleashing the potential of every part of the united kingdom. and if we can do that in our country, we will be the most prosperous in europe. and in the last few days i have tried to persuade my colleagues that it would be eccentric to change governments when delivering so much and have such a vast mandate and just a handful of points behind in the polls even after midterm after some relaxed lends sledging and when the economic scene is so difficult domestic the entity nationally. i

regret not to have been seen through so many projects myself but as we have seen at westminster, the herd instinct is powerful and when a herd moves it moves. and in politics no one is remotely indispensable and our brilliant and darwinian system will produce another leader equally committed to taking this country forward through tough times, not just helping families to get through it but for changing and improving the ways we do things, cutting burdens on businesses and families and cutting taxes because that is the way to generate the growth and the way to generate the growth and the income we need to pay for great public services. and to that new leader, i say, public services. and to that new leader, isay, whoever they public services. and to that new leader, i say, whoever they may be, i will give you as much support as i can and to you the british public, i

know there will be many people who will be believed and perhaps a few who will be disappointed and i wanted to how sad i am to be giving up wanted to how sad i am to be giving up the bestjob in the world. but those are the breaks. i want to thank carrie and our children and the members of my family who have had to put up with so much for so long. i want to thank the civil service for all of the help and support you have given our police, emergency services and of course and our fantastic emergency services and of course and ourfantastic nhs emergency services and of course and our fantastic nhs who are critical moment helped to extend my period in office. as well as our armed services and our agencies that are so admired around the world and the conservative party members and supporters whose selfless campaigning makes our democracy possible. i want to thank the wonderful staff here at number 10

and at chequers and our group force, those that never leave. above all, i want to thank you, the british public for the immense privilege that you have given me. and i want to know from now on until the new prime minister is in place, your interest will be served and the government of the country will be carried on. being prime minister is an education in itself. i've travelled to every part of the united kingdom and in addition to the beauty of our natural world, i found so many people possessed of such boundless british originality and so willing to tackle old problems in new ways that i know that even if things can sometimes

seem dark now, ourfuture that even if things can sometimes seem dark now, our future together is golden. thank you all very much. thank you. the statement by borisjohnson announcing that he is to resign as conservative party leader and eventually as prime minister. nick eardley our political correspondent listening to that with me i'm just wondering what you're made of the statement itself and did it tell us anything? —— anything new? boris anything? -- anything new? boris johnson is — anything? -- anything new? boris johnson is going _ anything? -- anything new? boris johnson is going to _ anything? -- anything new? boris johnson is going to try _ anything? -- anything new? boris johnson is going to try and - anything? —— anything new? err“; johnson is going to try and stay on until a new leader is found. he will remain in his party... that is certainly his intentions... talking

about the conservative party moving and talking about the herd moving. i think they signed there that he will say this is about the conservative party rather than the country, turning his back on him. we know the past 48 hours he has made the argument privately and his allies publicly that he could still win an election, that he thinks he still has the backing. you heard him say he is disappointed to be giving up thisjob. clearly he is he is disappointed to be giving up this job. clearly he is extremely reluctant to do this, he has been forced from office over what happened over the last couple of days. but a couple of things in particular he wanted to talk about their which borisjohnson hopes he will be remembered for. one is the

support that ukraine that close relationship. his with president zelensky, which shows him in the international stage, zelensky, which shows him in the internationalstage, he zelensky, which shows him in the international stage, he wants to be remembered for that. and that phrase levelling up, that was a boris johnson phrase, something he is proud of and clearly wants us to remember him far. you can tell they're the melancholy of his tone. he is not a happy man to be moving on. r he is not a happy man to be moving on. . , he is not a happy man to be moving on. ~ , , ., on. and he said thems the breaks. i wonder if that _ on. and he said thems the breaks. i wonder if that is _ on. and he said thems the breaks. i wonder if that is the _ on. and he said thems the breaks. i wonder if that is the relaxed - wonder if that is the relaxed attitude to the way this has developed that is properly reflective of what is going on behind—the—scenes but it is a phrase i suspect he will be remembered for delivering there. and parks then about the darwinian system as he put it of electing a new leader. was that really be kind of assertive confident statement about what he's achieved that you were expecting or

was it a more understated and massive subdued borisjohnson in the circumstances? it massive subdued boris johnson in the circumstances?— circumstances? it wasn't the list of achievements _ circumstances? it wasn't the list of achievements we _ circumstances? it wasn't the list of achievements we saw _ circumstances? it wasn't the list of achievements we saw from - circumstances? it wasn't the list of| achievements we saw from theresa may. you didn't get the impression borisjohnson was coming out and saying, ifeel like i've done a lot of what i wanted a divorce up it felt like a man who was extremely frustrated that he cannot do more of what his plans were. you're absolutely right, borisjohnson is herd blaming the political system in parliament, the mood in his own party for him, he is a politician benefiting from that sort of atmosphere in the conservative party before, he was a key player in bringing down theresa may. when i sat and watched her resign only three years ago, he was extremely reluctant to do this but he has been forced out by his own party. it reluctant to do this but he has been forced out by his own party.- forced out by his own party. it was interesting — forced out by his own party. it was interesting to _ forced out by his own party. it was interesting to see _ forced out by his own party. it was interesting to see people - forced out by his own party. it was interesting to see people involved | interesting to see people involved interesting to see people involved in the crowd behind you with their

companies are jacob rees—mogg, nadine dorries, his wife carrie and the little child and i wonder what was going through their minds at that point when they see that within three years of that election victory in december 2019 it is a resignation statement here from borisjohnson. it's an unravelling on a scale and at a speed that nobody could have foreseen despite the fact of course his own critics within the party will tell you today as they have been for weeks before this that the things that led to his downfall, attention to detail, competence. so you have this clash of cultures between those who really thought he was the man for the hour and those who said all along that this day was bound to come. it was just a matter

of timing. bound to come. it was 'ust a matter of timinr. , ., , ., ., of timing. there will be no shortage of timing. there will be no shortage of conservatives _ of timing. there will be no shortage of conservatives who _ of timing. there will be no shortage of conservatives who say, _ of timing. there will be no shortage of conservatives who say, i - of timing. there will be no shortage of conservatives who say, i told - of timing. there will be no shortage of conservatives who say, i told you so, about borisjohnson per step i spoke to some this morning who have said it for years, some that changed their minds about a year ago, some who have changed their minds in the last few days. when borisjohnson first walked into that door, i think there was a general assumption that this was heralding in a new era in british politics was that he had the majority of dozens, there was a genuine feeling that boris johnson had the power over his party genuine feeling that borisjohnson had the power over his party did genuine feeling that boris johnson had the power over his party did you frankly whatever he wanted. he for a long time was that the blockbuster star of the conservative party. he went to conferences, people followed him about, they listened to every single word he said. brexit put him onto the stage where he could win power and take over in downing street. what has happened since is quite frankly unforced errors that have led to the prime minister being in the situation for months now we

have stayed in downing street talking about scandal after scandal, that has worn down the conservative party, worn down some of those sceptical already about the prime minister but one over, thought he could stay a little longer. it started to wear down his ministers and since the start of the year, the last six months, the dam has been creaking, we have had a situation where ministers wear privately always threatening to walk, where some were deciding borisjohnson couldn't go on and putting in their letters of no confidence was up but things have changed completely in the last week and it was all down to the last week and it was all down to the way that the operation at number 10 dealt with those allegations against chris pincher. interesting to look at some _ against chris pincher. interesting to look at some of _ against chris pincher. interesting to look at some of the _ against chris pincher. interesting to look at some of the social- against chris pincher. interesting i to look at some of the social media responses is up quite a bit of anger on there, including from some conservatives, one saying just now that that simply didn't do it. and

saying blaming the herd instinct, that wasn't a compliment and saying they all followed each other in one direction which lots of people are taking to mean he doesn't recognise he might have been responsible for some of the precise problems that led to his downfall. that reference to the herd instinct, do you think will have gone down badly? that would have _ will have gone down badly? that would have gone _ will have gone down badly? “inst would have gone down like a rock. by the end of the day we will find out more about how the party plans to force him out of office. we will hear from the people who want to replace him as well. it is this particular trait of borisjohnson that he is always reluctant to apologise. the times we have heard him apologise in recent weeks, it has been up against the most intense pressure. he apologised over parties, over the stories that the

country was told about what he knew about his former deputy chief whip and allegations against him. boris johnson is leaving as defiant as he was last night, number 10 telling us he is not going anywhere, the exact phrase used to the bbc tomorrow, there will not be the electing moment. here we are today and it is the conservative party that forced it. . ~ the conservative party that forced it. a , ._ the conservative party that forced it. , ,., the conservative party that forced it. nick, stay us for with sub thank ou for it. nick, stay us for with sub thank you for now- _ it. nick, stay us for with sub thank you for now- l— it. nick, stay us for with sub thank you for now. i was _ it. nick, stay us for with sub thank you for now. i was wondering - it. nick, stay us for with sub thank you for now. i was wondering how| you for now. i was wondering how that would have gone down with some conservative mps for tablets join james daly, the mp for bury north and a seat that the conservatives gained back in 2019. thank you for joining us. i'mjust gained back in 2019. thank you for joining us. i'm just wondering at this point what you make of this argument from the prime minister that it argument from the prime minister thatitis argument from the prime minister that it is the herd instinct that has done for him.— that it is the herd instinct that has done for him. good afternoon. i

think one of — has done for him. good afternoon. i think one of the _ has done for him. good afternoon. i think one of the many _ has done for him. good afternoon. i think one of the many honours - has done for him. good afternoon. i think one of the many honours of i think one of the many honours of being in parliament is i have been elected with a group of mps who are some of the most diligent, professional, honest people that i had ever come across and they don't make decisions like this like that every member has taken a view on the conduct and reasons as to why we are here today. nothing to do with herd instinct. it is a lot of very good people who have decided what they think is in the best interest of their constituents in the country. you've made that clear. what did you make of this statement generally, the impact of the statement in terms of mrjohnson's own view about what he's achieved and what he might yet have achieved had he been given the chance to serve for several more years and the thought that he might serve a few more months as prime

minister until a successor is elected? can we have your thoughts on those two areas? l elected? can we have your thoughts on those two areas?— on those two areas? i think it is riaht and on those two areas? i think it is right and every _ on those two areas? i think it is right and every conservative i on those two areas? i think it is| right and every conservative mp should pay tribute to the prime minister for should pay tribute to the prime ministerfor happy to should pay tribute to the prime minister for happy to let the government which has invested huge sums of money in areas like mine, in the metropolitan borough of bury where we have got around 200 million of extra funding, the most recent announcement of a new school, saving the local football club underground, two levelling up beds. the government he has led has had a positive impact on many towns across the north of england like mine and so it is really important to say that. in terms of going forward, i don't know if from my perspective, i look up to the stars rather than looking at the ground, i look forward, i think we have the agenda and the talent within the government to deliver on our mandate and the opportunities of brexit and i have no doubt we will do that. in terms of the prime minister himself, the

decision as to whether he stays as a matter completely for him. i would personally prefer he would leave today but that is his decision and i see he has appointed cabinet members and government will continue until a new leader is in place. you and government will continue until a new leader is in place.— new leader is in place. you are comfortable — new leader is in place. you are comfortable with _ new leader is in place. you are comfortable with that, - new leader is in place. you are comfortable with that, with i new leader is in place. you are comfortable with that, with mrj comfortable with that, with mr johnson staying on as prime minister until the autumn?— until the autumn? politics is about different viewpoints. _ until the autumn? politics is about different viewpoints. the - until the autumn? politics is about different viewpoints. the prime i different viewpoints. the prime minister thinks he has something to offer. as long as he is able to bring those talented people back into the cabinet including some of those who may be into the cabinet including some of those who may he resigned, then that is fine. politics and life is a matter of opinion is that of a new start should have happened today but the prime minister, i get back to this, he has delivered for this country and he clearly feels he can continue with the positive policy agenda at the government has had and thatis agenda at the government has had and that is his choice. [30 agenda at the government has had and that is his choice.— that is his choice. do you think that is his choice. do you think that viewers _ that is his choice. do you think that viewers and _ that is his choice. do you think that viewers and voters - that is his choice. do you think that viewers and voters will i that viewers and voters will understand a position where the

prime minister is announcing his resignation as leader of the party and yet stays on as prime minister, appointing new people to cabinet and other ministerial positions today, what is the impact of that kind of message? is it not something that needs more clarity, as you've just suggested? l needs more clarity, as you've 'ust suggested?— needs more clarity, as you've 'ust suggested? i think is the day goes on hopefully _ suggested? i think is the day goes on hopefully we — suggested? i think is the day goes on hopefully we will— suggested? i think is the day goes on hopefully we will have - suggested? i think is the day goes on hopefully we will have the - on hopefully we will have the clarity in terms of cabinet positions being filled. it is important the country knows the conservative government is delivering for them, it is functioning, waking, has good, talented people, there is nothing for me to doubt that will be in place going forward. clearly, i apologise for repeating myself, if i would be in that position i would take a different step that this is a man who has been leader of the country, he feels he has something to offer so we go on, we have a leader selection coming up. but fundamentals of this country and i look forward to that and to the next leader of the conservative party who

commits to the levelling up agenda in the north of england. that romise in the north of england. that promise the _ in the north of england. that promise the next _ in the north of england. that promise the next question which will not be a surprise. and especially given the fact you have a very modest majority in bury. modest ma'ority in bury. most marrinal modest majority in bury. most marginal in — modest majority in bury. most marginal in the _ modest majority in bury. most marginal in the country! - modest majority in bury. most marginal in the country! and i modest majority in bury. most i marginal in the country! and you modest majority in bury. most - marginal in the country! and you are still standing- _ marginal in the country! and you are still standing. that _ marginal in the country! and you are still standing. that is _ marginal in the country! and you are still standing. that is something - marginal in the country! and you are still standing. that is something to i still standing. that is something to be said for having a small majority because it keeps you on your toes, i was told. i was just wondering, what kind of leader you want to see in place who will give you a bit of a chance of holding on next time. do you have a person in mind, first of all, and if not, what is the kind of person you have in mind? l do all, and if not, what is the kind of person you have in mind? i do not have a person _ person you have in mind? i do not have a person in _ person you have in mind? i do not have a person in mind. _ person you have in mind? i do not have a person in mind. nobody i person you have in mind? i do not| have a person in mind. nobody has approached me in respect of that. i want a person who understands that north of england and the everyday life and challenges faced by many towns throughout the north. someone committed to investing in ——

investing money in a targeted way who can support an agenda that is investing in facilities for sen schools, cultural and sport facilities, health services. a person that comes to me and says i have a plan, we want to continue with the agenda of delivering for people in bury and throughout the now they will have my vote. l’m now they will have my vote. i'm aroin to now they will have my vote. i'm going to be _ now they will have my vote. i'm going to be very polite and say, if you say that you don't have an idea who you want as leader, i'm going to say i'm slightly tease you, i don't believe you. you must have thought of a feud that would fit the bill. l of a feud that would fit the bill. i cannot believe a cynical reporter exists in terms of that! there is the talent of the people going to put their names forward, any number could be leader of the conservative party. from my own perspective of looking for a certain concentration, certain commitment in respect of the

issues i have talked about. some may want to give a bigger commitment and a bigger priority within the general mandate, we had some massive legislation going through parliament at this moment in time, sol legislation going through parliament at this moment in time, so i wish i could tell you, perhaps it is a reflection of me. i know there are plenty of people who will be there, had a vision for our country to continue a transformation in people's lives and access to the best quality front line services. let's see what happens during the rest of the way. could you talk to you. thank you very much. thank you. in the past half hour or so, the prime minister borisjohnson has emerged here on downing street and concerned that he is resigning as leader of the conservative party that he intends to stay on as prime minister until a new leader is elected and that is to say the least

a matter of some controversy and debate among his own mps, leave alone mps in other parties is that mrjohnson made the statement here outside number 10 just a few moments ago so let's remind ourselves what he had to say. it ago so let's remind ourselves what he had to say-— he had to say. it is clearly now the will of the — he had to say. it is clearly now the will of the parliamentary - will of the parliamentary conservative party that there should be a new leader of that party and therefore a new prime minister and i've agreed with sir graham brady the chairman of our backbench mps that the process of choosing that new leader should begin now. and the timetable will be announced next week. and i today appointed a cabinet to serve as i will until a new leader is in place. i want to say to the millions of people who voted for us in 2019, many of them voting conservative for the first time, thank you for that incredible mandate, the biggest conservative majority since 1987, the biggest share of the vote since 1979. and

the reason i have fought so hard in the reason i have fought so hard in the last few days to continue to deliver that mandate in person was notjust because i wanted to do so but because i felt it was myjob, my duty, my obligation to you to continue to do what we promised in 2019. and of because i am immensely proud of the achievements of this government, from getting brexit done to settling our relations with the continent for over half a century. reclaiming the power for this country to make its own laws in parliament, getting us all through the pandemic, delivering the fastest vaccine roll—out in europe, the fastest exit from lockdown and in the last few months, leading the west in standing up to beauty�*s aggression in ukraine. —— putin's. let me say to the people in ukraine,

we in the uk will continue to back yourfight forfreedom we in the uk will continue to back your fight for freedom for as long as it takes. we have been pushing forward a vast programme of investment in infrastructure and skills and technology, the biggest in a century, 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 is why we must keep levelling up, keep unleashing the potential of every part of the united kingdom. and if we can do that in this country, we will be the most prosperous in europe. i did the last few days i have tried to persuade my colleagues that it would be eccentric to change governments when we are delivering so much and when we are delivering so much and when we are delivering so much and when we had such a vast mandate and we are only a handful of points behind in the polls even in midterm

after a few months of relentless sledging. i regret not to have been successful in those arguments and it is painful to not see through so many ideas and projects myself. but as we have seen at westminster, the herd instinct is powerful, when the herd instinct is powerful, when the herd moves, it moves. and in politics, no one is remotely indispensable. and i were brilliant and darwinian system will produce another leader equally committed to taking this country forward through tough times notjust helping families to get through it but you are changing and improving the way we do things, 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 for great public services. and to that and

leader, i say whoever they may be, i will give you as much support as i can and to you, the british public, i know there will be many people who are relieved and perhaps quite a few who will also be disappointed. and i wanted to know how sad i am to be giving up the bestjob in the world. but thems the breaks. i want to thank carrie and our children and other members of my family who have had to put up with so much for long. i want to thank the peerless british service for all of the help and support you have given our police, emergency services and our fantastic nhs where the critical moment help to extend my own period in office. as well as our armed services and our agencies that are so admired around the world and have a

conservative party members and supporters whose selfless campaign makes our democracy possible. i want to thank the wonderful staff here at number 10 and to thank the wonderful staff here at number10 and at to thank the wonderful staff here at number 10 and at chequers and our fantastic force detectives, the one force that never leave. above all, i want to thank you, the british public, for the immense privilege that you have given me. and i wanted to know that from now on until the new prime minister in place, your interests will be served and the government of the country will be carried on. being prime minister is an education in itself. i've travelled to every part of the united kingdom and in addition to the beauty of our natural world, i have found so many people possessed

of such boundless british originality and so willing to tackle old problems in new ways that i know that even if things can sometimes seem dark now, ourfuture that even if things can sometimes seem dark now, our future together is golden. thank you all very much. thank you. is golden. thank you all very much. thank you-— thank you. that was the statement riven b thank you. that was the statement given by ltoris _ thank you. that was the statement given by boris johnson _ thank you. that was the statement given by boris johnson within - thank you. that was the statement given by boris johnson within the i given by borisjohnson within the last 40 minutes or so right here on downing street outside the door of number 10 foot of a statement that i have to say has raised new questions among conservative mps and other mps about the next few months and whether government can function. more coming up on bbc news at one, so stay with us for so we will have more and i will be talking to our political editor for the latest on this leadership crisis.

borisjohnson has resigned as conservative leader. he has said he will stay on as prime minister until the autumn while a successor is chosen. the announcement came after more senior resignations and declarations of no confidence came from his mps this morning. it is clearly now the will of the parliamentary conservative party that there should be a new leader of that party, and therefore, a new prime minister. this lunchtime, the prime minister appointed a new cabinet,