oui’ coverage our coverage will continue world, our coverage will continue here on this political drama, but from all of us here, it's goodbye.

hello, welcome to bbc news at downing street. borisjohnson resigns as the leader of the conservative party. in a statement outside downing street, he said he was proud of his achievements but it was now clearly the will of tory mps that he stand down. 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. but as we have seen at westminster, the herd instinct is a powerful and when they heard moves, it moves. and

my friends, in politics, no one is remotely indispensable. the announcement came after more senior resignations and declarations of no confidence came from his mps. the prime minister appoints a new cabinet, but labour leader sir keir starmer says he must step down immediately or he will try to bring a no confidence vote in parliament. he needs to go completely — none of this nonsense about clinging on for a few months. he's inflicted lies, fraud and chaos in the country. good afternoon from downing street, where just a few hours ago borisjohnson resigned as conservative leader.

in a statement watched by his family and number ten staff, mrjohnson admitted it was "clearly now the will of conservative mps that he stand down." let's remind ourselves of some of the key points from borisjohnson's statement. he plans to stay in downing street until a new tory leader has been elected to replace him as pm. and the timetable for the process to choose a new pm will be announced next week. and shortly before mrjohnson took to the podium to make his statement, he began appointing a cabinet to serve until a new leader is in place. among those new appointments, greg clark has been named new levelling up secretary, and james cleverly as education secretary. and robert buckland returns to the cabinet, as wales secretary. some that had stayed loyal to the prime minister during the wave of resignations have shown their support for his

decision to stand down. foreign secretary liz truss tweeted. .. and from the opposition, sir keir starmer has urged the pm not to "cling on" and leave completely rather than remain until a replacement conservative leader is found. shortly after 12.30pm this afternoon, borisjohnson walked out of the door of number 10 to confirm he will resign as conservative party leader. let's listen to what he had to say. in 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 have such a vast mandate and when we are actually only a handful of points behind in the polls, even mid term after quite a few months of pretty relentless sledging and when the economic scene is so difficult domestically and internationally. i regret not to

have been successful in those arguments and of course it is painful not to be able to see through so many ideas and projects myself. but as we have seen at westminster, the herd instinct is powerful and when they heard moves, it moves. and my friends, 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, notjust helping families to get through it, but 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 growth and income we need to pay the great public services. and to that new leader, i say whoever he or she may be, i will give you as much support as i can, and to you, the british public, i

know that there will be many people who are relieved and perhaps quite a few he will also be disappointed. i want you to know how sad i am to be giving up the bestjob in the world. but them's the breaks. boris giving up the best job in the world. but them's the breaks. boris johnson at s-ueakin but them's the breaks. boris johnson at speaking there _ but them's the breaks. boris johnson at speaking there just _ but them's the breaks. boris johnson at speaking there just a _ but them's the breaks. boris johnson at speaking there just a short - but them's the breaks. boris johnson at speaking there just a short time i at speaking there just a short time ago. i'm joined by our political correspondent nick eardley. we were watching it, just how would you sum up the moment there? it was really interesting _ you sum up the moment there? it was really interesting because _ you sum up the moment there? it was really interesting because it _ you sum up the moment there? it "wes really interesting because it down there and up there, borisjohnson's team at ministers, family, some of his allies had gathered and they all looked pretty ash in the face, pretty emotional about the whole thing, and it is remarkable to think that when i got here this morning at half past five, boris johnson's plant was still to cling on to power. but the steady stream of

resignations that kept coming and be moved from nadhim zahawi meant he was pressed out and you got the impression from that speech he felt hard done by. he talks about the tory heard that saying when it moves it moves. he talked about only being a few points behind in the polls, clearly he still thinks he could win back an election for the conservative party, win an election for the conservative party and win back support. so borisjohnson is going still defiant, still thinking his party has made the wrong decision. that has not gone down well with everybody and that there will still be this debate over the next few hours i think about whether borisjohnson can stay as he wants to until a new leader is elected, probably in september, as it brings to an end one of the most extraordinary and turbulent leaderships. two years ago he was

master of all he surveyed politically, he won the stonking majority at the general election, he was getting his brexit deal through parliament, his party worshipped him for that election result. since then there has just been this drip, for that election result. since then there hasjust been this drip, drip, drip of scandal, misstep, political miscalculation and many people would argue miss truths and in some cases, some would say outright lies from the number ten machine, and here we are today, borisjohnson forced out by his own party. are today, boris johnson forced out by his own party-— by his own party. thank you very much indeed. _ let's cross to central lobby — and my colleague iain watson. that is right, i am joined by the principal private secretary, parliamentary aide and number ten he was with the prime minister today when he gave that speech in the street. i can talk to you now about how that must have felt, because you have been very close to the prime minister. he said it is painful to leave, what were your emotions? i

did not want him to leave. i backed him, i continue to back him, i wanted him to fight on. it is great sadness that the party chose something else, but he recognised that, i recognised that. we now will have a new leader and prime minister by the time of party conference, but to the world still rotates. the ukraine conflict goes on, the challenges of the economy go on and it is important, as well as regretting what has happened, the prime minister stays on course and delivers the decisions that are needed. ibis delivers the decisions that are needed. �* , . ., , needed. as having a meeting with his new cabinet? — needed. as having a meeting with his new cabinet? all _ needed. as having a meeting with his new cabinet? all the _ needed. as having a meeting with his new cabinet? all the new— needed. as having a meeting with his new cabinet? all the new cabinet - new cabinet? all the new cabinet have accepted — new cabinet? all the new cabinet have accepted their _ new cabinet? all the new cabinet have accepted theirjobs - new cabinet? all the new cabinet have accepted theirjobs and - new cabinet? all the new cabinet have accepted theirjobs and will| new cabinet? all the new cabinet i have accepted theirjobs and will be meeting today within the next couple of hours, he will be appointing ministers and he has to do that because there are bills going through committee in this place, there are urgent questions. that

must be a _ there are urgent questions. that must be a bit — there are urgent questions. that must be a bit of _ there are urgent questions. that must be a bit of a _ there are urgent questions. that must be a bit of a nightmare given the resignations, but can i ask, some people who are critical of the prime minister and have been for the past six months of feeling he might stay on beyond any reasonable length of time, they are worried that for example the leadership contest will take far too long and he is betting on with this new cabinet. is a clear is going to leave in the autumn and would he be prepared to leave sooner than that if a replacement was found quicker? d0 than that if a replacement was found cuicker? ., ~ ., quicker? do not know the exact formulation _ quicker? do not know the exact formulation of _ quicker? do not know the exact formulation of words, - quicker? do not know the exact formulation of words, but - quicker? do not know the exact formulation of words, but he i quicker? do not know the exact. formulation of words, but he will not be that by the conservative party conference, we will have a new leader. to a degree, it is not a matterfor leader. to a degree, it is not a matter for the leader. to a degree, it is not a matterfor the prime leader. to a degree, it is not a matter for the prime minister, leader. to a degree, it is not a matterfor the prime minister, it is a matterfor the party chairman in coordination with the 1922 committee and sir graham brady, speaking informally to colleagues, i will not speak for them, they're wanting a faster process, particularly on the parliamentary side, because this is the penultimate week of parliament, it is important we talk with

potential leadership candidates, people talk about the future, what we have got wrong, how we want to reposition ourselves and that really needs to happen whilst we are here physically in the building talking to one another face—to—face. mp5 to one another face-to-face. mps whittle them _ to one another face-to-face. mps whittle them down, _ to one another face—to—face. mps whittle them down, we will have the final two before parliament rises for summer, that is your understanding?- for summer, that is your understandinu? , . , ., for summer, that is your understandinu? ., , ., ., understanding? great question for graham ready- _ understanding? great question for graham ready. some _ understanding? great question for graham ready. some of— understanding? great question for graham ready. some of his - understanding? great question for- graham ready. some of his colleagues were sa in: graham ready. some of his colleagues were saying the _ graham ready. some of his colleagues were saying the speech _ graham ready. some of his colleagues were saying the speech was _ were saying the speech was effectively saying i'm only a few points behind the polls, despite these difficulties in being a sledge in the press and it was a rather eccentric decision by some of his colleagues to force him out at this stage. city not perhaps have admitted some of the mistakes that led to that bad press in the first place today and when he talked about just being a few points behind in the polls, did he seriously consider going for an early election instead of a resignation? that

going for an early election instead of a resignation?— of a resignation? at the liaison committee _ of a resignation? at the liaison committee yesterday, - of a resignation? at the liaison committee yesterday, he - of a resignation? at the liaison committee yesterday, he saidl of a resignation? at the liaison | committee yesterday, he said a formulation of words something like there is no possibility of having a general election what i cannot see a possibility in two years time, and then he clarified may 2024, and i do not evident any discussions directly with him when i have been in the room or talk of an early general election, so i do not think that is... ab. election, so i do not think that is... �* , ., , ., election, so i do not think that is... a little bit more shall we say humbled about _ is... a little bit more shall we say humbled about his _ is... a little bit more shall we say humbled about his recent... - is... a little bit more shall we say humbled about his recent... ? - is... a little bit more shall we say humbled about his recent... ? he is... a little bit more shall we say - humbled about his recent... ? he has aolouised humbled about his recent... ? he has apologised a — humbled about his recent... ? he has apologised a number _ humbled about his recent... ? he has apologised a number of _ humbled about his recent... ? he has apologised a number of times. - humbled about his recent... ? he has apologised a number of times. i - humbled about his recent... ? he has apologised a number of times. i have| apologised a number of times. i have not had criticism of lack of contrition from the 40 or 50 colleagues i spoken to so far. i'm not saying some people have not mentioned that, but that is not the feedback they have given me. he has been contrite before, apologised before and it is his opportunity to set out what happened.— before and it is his opportunity to set out what happened. thank you very much- _ set out what happened. thank you very much. that _ set out what happened. thank you very much. that was _ set out what happened. thank you very much. that was james - set out what happened. thank you | very much. that was james diedrich very much. that was james diedrich he was with the prime minister in downing street today and he is

confirming he expects the leadership contest to whittle down the final two over the summer but it is certainly borisjohnson's expectation he will be around to the party conference in october and some of that we are speaking to him once that process truncated, something the 1922 committee of backbenchers will decide upon. we will get an idea of that exact timescale on monday. for now, thank you very much indeed. we arejust monday. for now, thank you very much indeed. we are just seeing on twitter the former conservative prime ministerjohn major has warned against borisjohnson are being allowed to remain in office until autumn. just to read you a bit of what he has said, the proposalfor the prime minister to remain in office at three months, having lost the support of his cabinet, his government and parliamentary is unsustainable. he says in such a circumstance, the prime minister maintains that the power of

patronage and even greater concern, the power to make decisions which will affect the lives of those within all four micro—nations of the united kingdom and further afield. some will argue his new cabinet will restrain him. i milli note his previous cabinet did not or cannot do so. for the overall well—being of the country, mrjohnson should not remain in downing street when he is unable to have the confidence of the house of commons that any longer than necessary to have the smooth transition of government. so, sir john major, another major voice of criticism of course there are writing to the 1922 committee, the backbench committee, urging them to ensure borisjohnson leaves office as soon as possible really. there has busily been a great deal of concern about the events of the last 24 to 48 hours in particular adding to the concerns about what happens in the next few days and weeks. the final and kemper borisjohnson began earlier this week with the former health secretary sajid javid and

former chancellor rishi sunak resigning. that opened the floodgates. since then, a succession of ministers and aides have pulled their support, including, in a devastating blow, nadhim zahawi, who this morning withdrew his support for the prime ministerjust two days after being made chancellor. jonathan blake has the story of this dramatic morning. downing street often draws a crowd but this morning real drama was about to unfold. the prime minister clung on overnight after cabinet colleagues told him his time was up and first thing there was silence from borisjohnson and his staff. turning up for work amid the turmoil, a last—ditch pledge of loyalty from one minister. the prime minister has my support. the former chancellor off somewhere in a hurry. are you going to make a bid for leadership? l another urging the prime minister to go. the facts are undeniable, he can't command the confidence of people, sufficient numbers, to serve in his government, he can't engender the support

of the parliamentary party and that is why it is so regrettable for us today, incredibly sad, for us to reach the conclusion that he sadly must stand down. the resignations kept coming including those only appointed two days ago, education secretary michelle donelan said with great sadness she had to step down. and chancellor nadhim zahawi telling borisjohnson to go. then the news borisjohnson had accepted his fate. just through from my colleague chris mason our political editor| the expectation is borisjohnson will resign today. _ relief from his mps, and a warning to go quickly. what has happened is ministers have seen what they have referred to as a lack of honesty and we can't have that. it is better he goes now than dragging on to the privileges committee for potentially finding

he misled the house. because that would have been a disaster too. and questions from conservatives about what happens now. might it not be in our interests to speed up the transition as much as possible? it is not tenable for him i to continue as caretaker. the governance of this country cannot be allowed to fail. borisjohnson's opponents say he cannot continue in any form. he needs to go completely, none of this nonsense about clinging on. he has inflicted lies, fraud and chaos in the country, and we are stuck with a government which is not functioning in the middle of a cost of living crisis. the chaos and lack of integrity that has characterised borisjohnson's premiership has descended into complete and utter farce at a time when people in every part of the uk are struggling with very real challenges.

as preparations for a statement from borisjohnson were made, he was filling the big gaps in government left by resignations. and then the moment he had fought to resist had come. 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. and i have agreed with sir graham brady, the chairman of our backbench mps, that the process of choosing that new leader should begin now. he thanked conservative voters, admitted nobody was indispensable, and ended with a message of hope. i know that even if things can sometimes seem dark now, our future together is golden. thank you all very much. thank you. jonathan blake, bbc news. well, of course, attention will now turn to the question of who will succeed borisjohnson

as prime minister. that process of selecting a new conservative leader effectively begins now. and the timetable will be decided by the leadership of the 1922 committee of backbench conservative mps. the rules — as they stand today — is that any candidate needs the support of eight conservative mps to take part. there follows a series of votes to leave just two candidates. then all members of the conservative party across the country — notjust mps — will decide the winner. let's get the thoughts of andrew rt davies, leader of the welsh conservatives. thank you very much forjoining us. who do you think should lead the conservative party next? ida who do you think should lead the conservative party next?- who do you think should lead the conservative party next? no one has declared at the _ conservative party next? no one has declared at the moment _ conservative party next? no one has declared at the moment and - conservative party next? no one has declared at the moment and it - conservative party next? no one hasj declared at the moment and it would be wrong of me to put my money on a certain individual. i do believe we need a robust leadership campaign contest so that a strong leader can emerge out of that process, take on the role of being prime minister,

build a strong cabinet around themselves and then continuing delivering at the manifesto commitments we secured from the british people in 2019. that's not forget there is still over two years of this parliament to run, so plenty of this parliament to run, so plenty of time for a new prime minister to make sure we continue building on the momentum of the 2019 manifesto. are all current members of the cabinet and previous members of the cabinet and previous members of the cabinet effectively ruled out, because they backed borisjohnson through all the scandals of recent months? ., . . through all the scandals of recent months? ., ., ., , through all the scandals of recent months? ., ., ., months? not at all. boris johnson ultimately secured _ months? not at all. boris johnson ultimately secured a _ months? not at all. boris johnson ultimately secured a huge - ultimately secured a huge conservative majority in 2019. in a parliamentary democracy, the ability to govern it four or five years and if people can command that majority in the house of commons should be able to continue in office. 0ver recent days it has become obvious that majority has slipped away, colleagues have taken certain actions when they looked in the mirror and thought what they need to

do. we are now in a situation where the prime minister has obviously resigned from leader of the conservative party. now there will be a contest once the rules are brought forward next week and as i said, what is really important now as we have a robust contest throughout the country so all members of the conservative party can weigh up the best candidate to come forward from that, elect a strong leader to build a strong cabinet around them and go on and build on the manifesto commitments we secured in 2019 with the british people endorsed. halal we secured in 2019 with the british people endorsed.— we secured in 2019 with the british --eole endorsed. ., ., , , people endorsed. how can any member ofthe people endorsed. how can any member of the public — people endorsed. how can any member of the public have _ people endorsed. how can any member of the public have any _ people endorsed. how can any member of the public have any faith _ people endorsed. how can any member of the public have any faith in _ people endorsed. how can any member of the public have any faith in any - of the public have any faith in any member of the current government, given they have backed borisjohnson in the face of huge criticism about his honesty and integrity? and they have only now, under enormous pressure, gone against him? i disagree with you because obviously what will happen now in the coming weeks is whoever feels they are able to be the best person to lead the party will put themselves forward

for consideration. they will go through a robust scrutiny process, map out what their vision is and how they will continue to build their manifesto 2019 that was endorsed at that general election. there are still over two years of this parliament to run so plenty of time to continue the good work on delivering on those manifesto commitments and that is what must be donein commitments and that is what must be done in a timely manner as possible. sirjohn major says it is unwise, unsustainable, for borisjohnson to stay until the autumn, given the power that this great office wields nationally and internationally and given the lack ofjudgment as many people see it of borisjohnson, especially in the last 24 hours. that is obviously true, isn't it? he should not be allowed to remain in office until the autumn. i should not be allowed to remain in office until the autumn. office untilthe autumn. i disagree. the prime minister _ office untilthe autumn. i disagree. the prime minister secured - office untilthe autumn. i disagree. the prime minister secured a - office untilthe autumn. i disagree. - the prime minister secured a mandate in 2019 to serve a full five years. ultimately events over recent days, that majority was lost in parliament, but on a caretaker role, i believe he has won the right to

continue in a caretaker capacity until someone emerges from the leadership contest and comes forward as the next prime minister to build that strong cabinet talk about and continue to deliver on the manifesto commitments we secured in 2019. john major, another individual who has been giving commentary on the dislike of borisjohnson in the recent months and years are no surprises offering that today. boiling surprises offering that today. why have conservatives such as yourself, conservatives are in leadership positions, only in the last 24 to 48 hours moved against the prime minister? does that not show, as the opposition say, the whole conservative party has now been corrected?— corrected? no, we live in a parliamentary _ corrected? no, we live in a parliamentary democracy. | corrected? no, we live in a - parliamentary democracy. that parliamentary democracy. that parliamentary democracy. that parliamentary democracy operates on the ability of individuals as mps to put themselves forward for consideration by the electorate is to serve a four to five year term at the general election. from those mps emerge as a prime minister who was

leader of the party and as long as they can have a majority in parliament, they have the right to continue to be prime minister and run the government. when that majority disappears in parliament they obviously move to one side which is what has happened today. we now move forward into a leadership contest, still over two years of this parliament to run, still many of the proposals contained in that manifesto which was offered to the british people and endorsed by the british people and endorsed by the british people and endorsed by the british people to deliver on, we need to get on with the job and delivering on people's priorities. just briefly, who do you think in terms of the debate is on the right side and when you think the questions are a fair people like yourself now choosing the next leader? is it about the tax? more public spending? which side of the debate are you? what public spending? which side of the debate are you?— debate are you? what is really important _ debate are you? what is really important to — debate are you? what is really important to me _ debate are you? what is really important to me is _ debate are you? what is really important to me is the - debate are you? what is really important to me is the a - debate are you? what is really - important to me is the a leadership candidate who can deliver on the commitments in the manifesto that was endorsed in 2019, can unite the country behind a government that is

delivering on the people's priorities, continuing the work of rebuilding after covid, sporting our friends and colleagues in ukraine against russian aggression. —— supporting ourfriends. what against russian aggression. -- supporting our friends. what about tax cuts? many _ supporting our friends. what about tax cuts? many seem _ supporting our friends. what about tax cuts? many seem to _ supporting our friends. what about tax cuts? many seem to be - supporting our friends. what about tax cuts? many seem to be talking | tax cuts? many seem to be talking about that. ii tax cuts? many seem to be talking about that. ., . ., about that. if the financial situation _ about that. if the financial situation allows _ about that. if the financial situation allows that - about that. if the financial situation allows that to i about that. if the financial i situation allows that to happen, that will be something that will be debated in the current leadership battle. as a low tax conservative, i believe low taxation stimulate the economy and create employment and business opportunities, but you have to have the financial circumstances to have the financial circumstances to do so and i'm sure those areas will be explored in the leadership contest. . , ., ., ., contest. 0k, many thanks to you for our time contest. 0k, many thanks to you for your time today. _ contest. 0k, many thanks to you for your time today, much _ contest. 0k, many thanks to you for your time today, much appreciated. | let us get some reaction now. from chichester to cheltenham — let's get some reaction from our correspondent andrew plant. thanks, yes, we have been chatting to people in cheltenham today, both

this morning and this afternoon, either side of borisjohnson's either side of boris johnson's announcement either side of borisjohnson's announcement outside 10 downing street that he would be stepping down and it does not matter who you stop and ask, everyone it seems to be following what has been going on in a downing street of the past couple of days, everyone has an opinion. cheltenham is electorally pretty interesting because a fake couple of decades, more in fact, it was very reliably liberal democrat. they won it from the conservatives way back in 1992 and then four more than 20 years, they kept that seat in almost every general election all the way up to 2015 when the conceptus took so many sits across the uk that perhaps they were not really expecting to and at about 80,000 registered voters here they had a majority of 6000 and ever since then it has begun to dwindle, to get their net. in 2017 that majority was just 2000 and in the most recent it had dwindled all the way down to about 900. so this is one of the places in the uk where

every single vote counts. have been asking people over the last hour or so exactly what they think about what has been happening in london over the past 48 hours and particularly about the boris johnson's decision to step down. i think it is time to introduce somebody who has got that credibility, because that is what is lost and the respect, and i think thatis lost and the respect, and i think that is my reason behind him going, i think. that is my reason behind him going, ithink. ithink it is that is my reason behind him going, i think. i think it is definitely a good thing to give room to somebody else who can take over and command that respect. he else who can take over and command that respect-— that respect. he replaces him? who else is around? _ that respect. he replaces him? who else is around? basically _ that respect. he replaces him? who else is around? basically he - that respect. he replaces him? who else is around? basically he was i else is around? basically he was going _ else is around? basically he was going into — else is around? basically he was going into office? will they make things— going into office? will they make things better or is itjust a nightmare again. things better or is it “ust a nightmare again._ things better or is it “ust a nightmare again. things better or is it “ust a nirhtmare aaain. .,, ., ., ~ nightmare again. people need to take a deep breath — nightmare again. people need to take a deep breath and _ nightmare again. people need to take a deep breath and people _ nightmare again. people need to take a deep breath and people in - a deep breath and people in government— a deep breath and people in government needs - a deep breath and people in government needs to - a deep breath and people in| government needs to realise a deep breath and people in i government needs to realise a a deep breath and people in - government needs to realise a lot of people _ government needs to realise a lot of people in_ government needs to realise a lot of people in this — government needs to realise a lot of people in this country, _ government needs to realise a lot of people in this country, we _ government needs to realise a lot of people in this country, we are - government needs to realise a lot of people in this country, we are not. people in this country, we are not london _ people in this country, we are not london centric, _ people in this country, we are not london centric, we _ people in this country, we are not london centric, we are _ people in this country, we are not london centric, we are not, - people in this country, we are not london centric, we are not, we i people in this country, we are not. london centric, we are not, we base our views— london centric, we are not, we base our views and — london centric, we are not, we base our views and votes _

london centric, we are not, we base our views and votes on _ london centric, we are not, we base our views and votes on the - london centric, we are not, we base our views and votes on the people . london centric, we are not, we base| our views and votes on the people in our views and votes on the people in our local_ our views and votes on the people in our local area — our views and votes on the people in our local area and _ our views and votes on the people in our localarea and i— our views and votes on the people in our local area and i have _ our views and votes on the people in our local area and i have to - our views and votes on the people in our local area and i have to say, i our local area and i have to say, sometimes _ our local area and i have to say, sometimes i _ our local area and i have to say, sometimes i am _ our local area and i have to say, sometimes i am lib— our local area and i have to say, sometimes i am lib dem, - our local area and i have to say, i sometimes i am lib dem, sometimes i'm conservative _ sometimes i am lib dem, sometimes i'm conservative-— i'm conservative. interesting o - inions i'm conservative. interesting opinions here _ i'm conservative. interesting opinions here and _ i'm conservative. interesting. opinions here and cheltenham i'm conservative. interesting - opinions here and cheltenham today. the sitting mp here is alex chalk and he resigned less than 48 hours ago from hisjob and he resigned less than 48 hours ago from his job and neither boris johnson as solicitor general, one of the first to go out late on tuesday night and actually, that is pretty interesting because he is part of that overall question really we have had more than 50 resignations over the past couple of days and that has left a lot of jobs the past couple of days and that has left a lot ofjobs within government they right now. the question a lot of people are asking is will they be able to fill those jobs? essentially you need them refilled to have a functioning government and will those people who have resigned, not just alex chalk, but people like michelle donelan, then come back to fill those positions under boris johnson if he gets to stay for the next two or three months and oversee a leadership contest? 0r next two or three months and oversee a leadership contest? or will those who called for borisjohnson to go

immediately, as we have been hearing about in the past hour or so, gets louder and louder, particularly if they cannot find enough people to fill those jobs and get a functioning government? will boris johnson have even sooner? that is the question that remains to be answered this afternoon. andrew in cheltenham, thank you very much indeed. and our correspondent fiona trott is in darlington for us — what is the mood there, fiona? it isa it is a constituency, red bull seat, a real symbol of borisjohnson's victory at the last election. it had not seen a conservative mp for over 30 years and yet is like cheltenham, the local mp here, peter gibson, resigned from his government post yesterday. he said that he did once believed boris johnson yesterday. he said that he did once believed borisjohnson was the best prime minister and the best person for darlington, but that was no longer the case. he also said that as a gay mp, the damage the party

had inflicted on itself over the conversion debate. this place has been promised so much from levelling up, so what do people think here about the prime minister's resignation and what the garment can still deliver? it is quite surprising. i did not really know that. it is quite surprising, i do think he had his bad rounds, but also people do say conservatives what we need for this country. i conservatives what we need for this count . ~ , ~ country. i like him, but i think that how _ country. i like him, but i think that how he — country. i like him, but i think that how he has _ country. i like him, but i think that how he has done - country. i like him, but i think that how he has done it i country. i like him, but i think that how he has done it is i country. i like him, but i think that how he has done it is not| that how he has done it is not necessarily the best way to go. the fact that _ necessarily the best way to go. the fact that he — necessarily the best way to go. the fact that he has made more blunders, he is flopping from one blunder to

the next — he is flopping from one blunder to the next i— he is flopping from one blunder to the next. ithink he is flopping from one blunder to the next. i think it is time for him to go _ darlington is part of the tees valley which has seen so much private and government investment in job creation and you know about freeports on the green industryjobs in this part of the world. it is why the business secretary kwasi kwarteng was here, talking about that very thing, something else people are talking about here is that they believe a lot of that was achieved with the relationship between the tees valley mayor and borisjohnson between the tees valley mayor and boris johnson himself. between the tees valley mayor and borisjohnson himself. they are worried about that relationship continuing with whoever the new leader turns out to be. fiona trott in darlington, thanks forjoining us. let's cross to outside the houses of parliament where we can speak to one of the co—leaders of the green party, carla denyer. thanks forjoining us. what is your

reaction overall to the dramatic turn of events this morning? i’m turn of events this morning? i'm lad he turn of events this morning? i'm glad he is _ turn of events this morning? “1.” glad he is finally going to be going, not a glad he is finally going to be going, nota moment glad he is finally going to be going, not a moment too soon, but i'm frustrated that he is still planning to stay on for three months. he has been forced out because he has been shown to be a liar, to be untrustworthy, to be reckless and to make bad decisions. all of those are still the case and are all the more reason why he needs to go now. it is also important for us to recognise that it isn'tjust that one man, the conservatives have beenin that one man, the conservatives have been in government now for 12 years and they have made a litany of bad decisions. they have not only allow the bills to rise but actively made decisions that increased people's household bills. when david cameron cut the green element, that added £50 to the average household bill,

it has been found, and wages have stagnated. your term wages are lower than they were in 2010, the list goes on. the asylum seekers being offshore to rwanda which potentially breaks international law and the conservatives actively pushing more oil and gas drilling in the north sea rather than tackling the climate change crisis and these are decisions that have been made by the wider conservative party and not just borisjohnson and that is why we think it is time people had a say on who run this country. it is time for a general election. can on who run this country. it is time for a general election.— on who run this country. it is time for a general election. can we keep the language _ for a general election. can we keep the language completely _ for a general election. can we keep the language completely clean, i for a general election. can we keep the language completely clean, by| the language completely clean, by the language completely clean, by the way. the language completely clean, by thewa . ~ ., , the language completely clean, by the way-_ that - the language completely clean, by the way._ that is - the language completely clean, by the way._ that is ok. i the language completely clean, by. the way._ that is ok. the the way. apologies. that is ok. the labour party — the way. apologies. that is ok. the labour party has — the way. apologies. that is ok. the labour party has talked _ the way. apologies. that is ok. the labour party has talked about i labour party has talked about potentially trying to bring a vote of no confidence in parliament itself if borisjohnson is allowed to stay in downing street until october. is that something the green 0ctober. is that something the green party would support? yes. october. is that something the green party would support?—

party would support? yes, it would. caroline lucas _ party would support? yes, it would. caroline lucas would _ party would support? yes, it would. caroline lucas would support - party would support? yes, it would. caroline lucas would support a i party would support? yes, it would. caroline lucas would support a vote| caroline lucas would support a vote of no confidence. that caroline lucas would support a vote of no confidence.— caroline lucas would support a vote of no confidence. that would trigger an election if _ of no confidence. that would trigger an election if the _ of no confidence. that would trigger an election if the conservatives i an election if the conservatives back an opposition motion, could that backfire and unite the conservatives? tote that backfire and unite the conservatives?— that backfire and unite the conservatives? ~ ., ., conservatives? we will find that out over the coming _ conservatives? we will find that out over the coming days, _ conservatives? we will find that out over the coming days, hopefully. i l over the coming days, hopefully. i find the conservative government hard to predict and they often make decisions that don't seem to make sense to those outside the conservative party, so who knows? to the co—leader of the green party, thanks forjoining us. let's cross to central lobby — and my colleague iain watson. i'm joined by someone who was elected as the youngest mp in 2019, taking the seat from labour for the conservatives for the first time in three decades. he resigned from the education department yesterday. i spoke to you several months ago

during partygate and you were very loyal bent so what changed your mind? mr; loyal bent so what changed your mind? g , ., ., ., mind? my resignation came after i realised that _ mind? my resignation came after i realised that the _ mind? my resignation came after i realised that the prime _ mind? my resignation came after i realised that the prime minister i mind? my resignation came after i i realised that the prime minister was untenable and we had had so many resignations and we could not govern the way we needed and deliver on what the people want us to deliver and i think i realised that yesterday. it was a hard decision to give up a role i love, i've been in the department for 18 months and it was a privilege to work with nadim zahawi as the secretary of state. you would back him as a replacement or borisjohnson? i you would back him as a replacement or boris johnson?— or boris johnson? i think he is a treat or boris johnson? i think he is a great man- _ or boris johnson? i think he is a great man. somebody - or boris johnson? i think he is a great man. somebody i - or boris johnson? i think he is a great man. somebody i have i or boris johnson? i think he is a i great man. somebody i have worked closely with, and he has got key priorities and is an all—round good guy but there are a lot of conversations going on at the and a lot of phone calls so my decision has not been made but i think nadim zahawi is a good man and will put the interests of the country first. he will continue as chancellor but some of your colleagues are

concerned that with new cabinet appointments that borisjohnson seems to be a bedding in, he expects to stay on until the party conference in october. the timetable is being discussed and we will find out what they are on monday but would you favour a shorter contest? we will see what the 1922 decides, and i have come out publicly and said i do think the prime minister should stay on and we should govern the way we need because we still need to pass policy and laws and it is important that we have a cabinet in position and we have ministers to be able to deliver on that.— be able to deliver on that. would ou co be able to deliver on that. would you go back _ be able to deliver on that. would you go back in — be able to deliver on that. would you go back in if _ be able to deliver on that. would you go back in if you _ be able to deliver on that. would you go back in if you were - you go back in if you were reappointed under borisjohnson in the short term? it is difficult to get some of the legislation through with fewerjunior ministers and parliamentary aides. that with fewerjunior ministers and parliamentary aides.— parliamentary aides. that is something _ parliamentary aides. that is something i— parliamentary aides. that is something i realised - parliamentary aides. that is i something i realised yesterday parliamentary aides. that is - something i realised yesterday when i was sat in the estimate stay for education, there was only myself and the secretary of state left in the department, so we have a job to do

while we find a new leader and if i was asked to go back into the position to help legislate and get the law through that we want, i would take up that position. something else to do with your constituency, and i know the term is used a lot, the red wall seat, a seat that had been held by labour for many years, and the levelling up your gender and brexit is things that attracted you and the people who voted for you —— levelling up agenda. do you think that is now in danger because what borisjohnson said to some of the mp5, he effectively said, some of his legacy will not be delivered if he goes? that is one of the things i'm looking for in a new leader, someone who will be committed to continuing to deliver on the levelling up agenda, we have the levelling up fund bid and there is a lot of funding coming into the area we have never seen before so i'm looking for that leader that can still deliver

that. there are supporters on the door for boris and i was very loyal to him and as you mentioned but i just think that it got to the position where he could not govern any more because there were so many resignations and we were in that situation. tote resignations and we were in that situation. ~ ., ., ., ~ situation. we now have a kent mp in charre of situation. we now have a kent mp in charge of levelling _ situation. we now have a kent mp in charge of levelling up. _ situation. we now have a kent mp in charge of levelling up. is— situation. we now have a kent mp in charge of levelling up. is that - situation. we now have a kent mp in charge of levelling up. is that the i charge of levelling up. is that the wrong message? you charge of levelling up. is that the wrong message?— charge of levelling up. is that the wrong message? charge of levelling up. is that the wron: messaue? ., , , wrong message? you might see it, but for me it is all — wrong message? you might see it, but for me it is all about _ wrong message? you might see it, but for me it is all about levelling - wrong message? you might see it, but for me it is all about levelling up i for me it is all about levelling up my patch, but levelling up the whole country is what it is about. i do hope that the new cabinet minister will be having the conversations with the northern mps of what they want to see and what they want delivered because the submissions will be opening soon to submit bids and it is something i've campaigned on and somebody needs to deliver on that i'm hoping that will be the case. . ., ., , ., , case. thanks for 'oining us. that is one of case. thanks for 'oining us. that is of the _ case. thanks forjoining us. that is one of the youngest _ case. thanks forjoining us. that is one of the youngest mps - case. thanks forjoining us. that is one of the youngest mps elected l case. thanks forjoining us. that is| one of the youngest mps elected in

2019, levelling up a very important issue for her but of course greg clarke is now the levelling up minister, he represents a seat in kent, so she will be looking for guarantees from him. she spoke very warmly of nadim zahawi who will be a candidate in the forthcoming leadership race. nadim zahawi nadim za hawi has just nadim zahawi has just walked into downing street and we showed you those pictures, he was driven in and just walked into number ten behind me. he did not say anything despite questions being thrown at him. katie perrior worked as a poltiical adviser at number 10 under theresa may. and with borisjohnson when he was mayor of london. what is your reaction? he has done the riaht what is your reaction? he has done the right thing. _ what is your reaction? he has done the right thing, he _ what is your reaction? he has done the right thing, he did _ what is your reaction? he has done the right thing, he did not - what is your reaction? he has done the right thing, he did not have i

what is your reaction? he has done the right thing, he did not have the| the right thing, he did not have the support of his party and he knows what this is about because he saw what this is about because he saw what happened to theresa may three years ago. but what goes on next and how long can we put up with a caretaker prime minister whether it is borisjohnson or someone else until we get a new leader? many mps and cabinet ministers i have spoken to have said they need to get on with it as quickly as possible and we can't wait a few months for a new government. d0 we can't wait a few months for a new government-— government. do you think boris johnson should _ government. do you think boris johnson should be _ government. do you think boris johnson should be allowed i government. do you think boris johnson should be allowed to i government. do you think boris i johnson should be allowed to stay whilst the process goes on or should somebody else like dominic raab be brought in whilst the conservatives make up their mind? it is brought in whilst the conservatives make up their mind?— make up their mind? it is a tough thin for make up their mind? it is a tough thing for boris _ make up their mind? it is a tough thing for boris johnson _ make up their mind? it is a tough thing for boris johnson to - make up their mind? it is a tough thing for boris johnson to be i thing for borisjohnson to be allowed to carry on doing that and the level of trust, there is legislation going through the house of commons next week and we don't know what ministers will be carrying out the legislation and we don't know what kind of amendments would be made and we don't know what kind of changes will be happening so there are lots of uncertainty in

westminster and maybe he does need to stand aside for a caretaker prime minister who will commit to the party that they won't be making those major changes until a new prime minister is in place. the 1922 committee are considering what action they can take to smooth things over and speed things up because the nation, when they are facing a cost of living crisis and all kinds of issues, continuing our support forfamilies in ukraine, i don't think they can afford to be waiting until september. jahh don't think they can afford to be waiting until september. john ma'or has written to— waiting until september. john ma'or has written to the i waiting until september. john ma'or has written to the 1922 i waiting until september. john major has written to the 1922 committee | has written to the 1922 committee saying he thinks it is unsustainable to allow borisjohnson to remain in office whilst the process goes on, do you agree with that very direct call for borisjohnson to be forced out of downing street as soon as possible? out of downing street as soon as ossible? ., ~., ., .,, ., ,., possible? john ma'or has a point that it is very — possible? john major has a point that it is very difficult _ possible? john major has a point that it is very difficult for - possible? john major has a point that it is very difficult for boris i that it is very difficult for boris johnson to carry on doing this, to have the support of his party who have the support of his party who have quite clearly told him that they do not support him, and to have they do not support him, and to have

the support of the nation, where people overwhelmingly now think the conservative party is not fit to govern. we have years left on to a general election and the conservatives are running out of time to do the things they promised when borisjohnson won the 80 seat majority, to deliver to families and level up, and to tell people that we are making the progress they need. the children in the schools and the nhs waiting list, we are about to face a difficult autumn and winter with an nhs crisis and we need the government that is going to be functioning to do that and i think the caretaker process, the longer it goes on, the more it will be difficult for the conservatives to have the trust of the voters. it is wider than _ have the trust of the voters. it is wider than that, _ have the trust of the voters. it is wider than that, isn't _ have the trust of the voters. it is wider than that, isn't it? some people are concerned about the stability and the state of mind of the prime minister given his refusal to budge until he was effectively overwhelmingly forced to because he has lost so many ministers and doesn't have a functioning government. is it not incumbent on the conservatives to make sure that

whoever is in charge of the country, for now at least, is someone who can command public trust and authority? he has put the party in a difficult position and i have spoken to mps and cabinet ministers who said this mount would happily shut the conservative party down and over a cliff to save himself and they will be thinking how far might he go —— who said this man would. they are thinking about the people that put them into office, the constituents, and don't forget this is not a presidential election campaign, people vote for their mps and those mps but borisjohnson in that position and if they decide he no longer is needed, they have to act, and we are coming to a situation whereby they will have to act and i don't think they can wait until september to remove him from office. who would you back for the leader and who do you think the key candidates are going to be? iii candidates are going to be? if i knew it candidates are going to be? it i knew it was going candidates are going to be? iii knew it was going to win this contest i would invest heavily in a

bitcoin and ask the lottery numbers because i really don't know. this is a clear field and anybody could come forward. suella braverman said she was going to go forward for it. any conservative member might fancy their chances right now. if you had to look at who is in the right place, penny morden is doing well, tom tugendhat, nadim zahawi is up there, liz truss and a few others. ben wallace has had an excellent time as defence secretary. it is hard to predict right now. the labour party _ hard to predict right now. the labour party say... _ hard to predict right now. the labour party say... sorry, just one second. sorry. james dandridgejust second. sorry. james dandridge just walking second. sorry. james dandridgejust walking into downing street. a key supporter of borisjohnson, who we spoke to earlier. iie supporter of boris johnson, who we spoke to earlier.—

spoke to earlier. he can form a government. — spoke to earlier. he can form a government, the _ spoke to earlier. he can form a government, the likes - spoke to earlier. he can form a government, the likes of i spoke to earlier. he can form a government, the likes of jane . government, the likes ofjane cleverley and others are rallying around the prime minister, they stuck with him since the london mayoral days ——james stuck with him since the london mayoral days —— james cleverly and others. mayoral days -- james cleverly and others. ,, ., , mayoral days -- james cleverly and others. ,, ., , others. should boris johnson be forced to leave _ others. should boris johnson be forced to leave today? - others. should boris johnson be forced to leave today? alistair l others. should boris johnson be i forced to leave today? alistairjack walking in, the scotland secretary. no comment. i cabinet meeting is going to start at three o'clock. —— a cabinet meeting. sorry for interrupting, katie, but what you make of the fact that boris johnson did assemble a cabinet, is he trying to show he can govern until the autumn and is that fair enough? it autumn and is that fair enough? ii is extraordinary. michelle donelan is extraordinary. michelle donelan is committed to young people and has been an excellent role model in the universities brief and is made secretary of state for education and

then resigns and then a new one is appointed a few hours later. it is whether the party will think this is an acceptable way to govern over the next few months and whether he can persuade cabinet members who have resigned to come back or that he feels so betrayed by them, he talks about herd behaviour... rgreg feels so betrayed by them, he talks about herd behaviour... greg clarke, shouldn't boris _ about herd behaviour... greg clarke, shouldn't boris johnson _ about herd behaviour... greg clarke, shouldn't boris johnson be _ about herd behaviour... greg clarke, shouldn't boris johnson be forced i about herd behaviour... greg clarke, shouldn't boris johnson be forced to | shouldn't borisjohnson be forced to step down today? don't you need a caretaker prime minister? sorry, katie, sorry to keep shouting over the top of you! i hope you don't mind. ., . . the top of you! i hope you don't mind-_ that - the top of you! i hope you don't mind._ that was i the top of you! i hope you don't mind._ that was greg j mind. not at all. that was greg clarke, mind. not at all. that was greg clarke. who _ mind. not at all. that was greg clarke, who has _ mind. not at all. that was greg clarke, who hasjust— mind. not at all. that was greg clarke, who hasjust been i mind. not at all. that was greg i clarke, who hasjust been appointed clarke, who has just been appointed as the levelling up minister. 0verall, as the levelling up minister. overall, it is quite surreal to see this, new names being brought in. the drama is going to continue, the psychodrama for as long as boris

johnson is in downing street and thatis johnson is in downing street and that is very damaging for the conservatives. it that is very damaging for the conservatives.— that is very damaging for the conservatives. it is a circus here toda . conservatives. it is a circus here today- the _ conservatives. it is a circus here today. the world _ conservatives. it is a circus here today. the world and _ conservatives. it is a circus here today. the world and his - conservatives. it is a circus here today. the world and his wife i conservatives. it is a circus here | today. the world and his wife are here, from around the world, to look at this government and see the way in which we are governing the nation at a time where people are thinking aboutjobs and security in education, the nhs, they can't see their elderly patient, the fact you can't get a dentist appointment, the fact that very same people will think about the fact that they can't afford the school uniforms for their children in september. these are things that matter to people and they will think that maybe we might have lost our minds in westminster, when you look at notjust here but around the world, looking at us, thinking, maybe, we could do better, and that is what worries me. so don't the tories need a period in opposition to recharge? you can't come up with any new ideas with a very damaged set of cabinet

ministers?— very damaged set of cabinet ministers? . ., ministers? what boris johnson has done over the _ ministers? what boris johnson has done over the last _ ministers? what boris johnson has done over the last couple - ministers? what boris johnson has done over the last couple of i ministers? what boris johnson has done over the last couple of years| done over the last couple of years is unearthing real talent.- is unearthing realtalent. should boris johnson — is unearthing realtalent. should boris johnson resign _ is unearthing realtalent. should boris johnson resign today i is unearthing realtalent. should boris johnson resign today and l is unearthing realtalent. should i boris johnson resign today and leave borisjohnson resign today and leave office today? sorry. sorry, katie. thank you so much. we have some more arrivals. more ministers arriving. that cabinet meeting is coming up. nadine dorries, one of the biggest supporters of borisjohnson, arriving in downing street. [30 supporters of boris johnson, arriving in downing street. do you retret arriving in downing street. do you regret supporting _ arriving in downing street. do you regret supporting boris _ arriving in downing street. do you regret supporting boris johnson? | regret supporting boris johnson? don't _ regret supporting boris johnson? don't you — regret supporting borisjohnson? don't you need _ regret supporting borisjohnson? don't you need a _ regret supporting borisjohnson? don't you need a caretaker- regret supporting borisjohnson?j don't you need a caretaker prime minister? dominic raba, would you

like to be caretaker prime minister? dominic raba going in but none of them are saying anything at all. —— dominic raab. nadine dorries one of the loudest supporters, on twitter, of borisjohnson, smiling and not saying too much and dominic raab not saying too much and dominic raab not saying anything. we understand dominic grote raab is not going to run as leader. have you heard that? —— dominic wrote raab way.

the expectation is that he will not run as they do which is why some people have been calling for him to be a caretaker by minister —— prime minister, someone who will not take part in the contest, and i think it might be easy to find those who will be competing to replace him rather than those who aren't. a lot of names being bandied around at the moment and some people questioning the wisdom of taking a cabinet position at the moment, and whether that would taint them in the eyes of any new leader, whether they are doing themselves more harm than good. the alternative argument is quite simply, for example, nadim zahawi, he's going to be a leadership candidate, some people who are supportive of him and say that he has played this quite well and has been astute because over the next few months he would be building

his profile even higher. he may be able to deal with the cost of living crisis to an extent and essentially lay a policy platform for when he takes over from borisjohnson. 0thers takes over from borisjohnson. others were just delighted to be able to fill in on a temporary basis. i have seen and heard active conversations between whips and some of thejunior ministers conversations between whips and some of the junior ministers who have resigned talking about the difficulties in getting legislation through because it is quite easy to appoint a cabinet, front rank politician is, if you like, but it is much more difficult to fill these other places, junior ministers, parliamentary aids, to keep the machinery of government going on a day—to—day basis and that is why angela rayner tried to have a debate on this early on but the answer she got from the cabinet office minister michael alice was that effectively

the civil service would do the job and keep the show on the road —— ellis. the summer recess is at the end of the month and we hope will be that borisjohnson will be acting genuinely is a caretaker not try to come up with new initiatives of his own but that might be wishful thinking. —— as a caretaker and not try to come up with new initiatives. simon clarke is going on. mr clarke, should there be a caretaker prime minister? no response. i'm afraid. they are all gathering for a cabinet meeting which we think is going to begin at three o'clock. to pick up on nadim zahawi, he has careered all over the place in the last 24 hours, accepting a job as the replacement chancellor and then going on the radio and doing interviews and talking about his new vision, but

then saying he privately told boris johnson time was up. the times says he has been working with lynton crosby on a tory leadership bid for months. is that too much manoeuvring and may be seen as a lack of judgment or all rather canny and wise? it judgment or all rather canny and wise? , , ,., judgment or all rather canny and wise? , , ,., , .,, ~' wise? it depends, some people think it is canny and _ wise? it depends, some people think it is canny and wise _ wise? it depends, some people think it is canny and wise for _ wise? it depends, some people think it is canny and wise for him _ wise? it depends, some people think it is canny and wise for him to - it is canny and wise for him to build his profile with a front rank job and we were reporting yesterday he was one of the delegation, this range of cabinet ministers, like grant shapps, the chief whip, trying to persuade borisjohnson it was time to stand down. that was in the few within hours of talking about his vision and working closely with the prime minister but we are yet to see whether the delayed speech on the economy between the prime minister and the chancellor will go ahead. it will be more of a platform

for nadim zahawi with that it is the borisjohnson but for nadim zahawi with that it is the boris johnson but there were for nadim zahawi with that it is the borisjohnson but there were others —— nadim zahawi than it is for boris johnson, but there were others who felt nadim zahawi had contaminated his brand by accepting thejob felt nadim zahawi had contaminated his brand by accepting the job of chancellor from his brand by accepting the job of chancellorfrom borisjohnson in the chancellor from borisjohnson in the first place and he should have, like rishi sunak and sajid javid, he should have been in the first wave of senior people leaving the government and setting out their stall independently. difficult to know how this will go down because there has been a lot of manoeuvring and they will be even more manoeuvring when we have the candidates announced. there will be a series of ballots held amongst mps and there will be a horse trading between them because at each stage in each ballot the lowest ranked candidate will drop out. there is a lot of scope for nadim zahawi who will start with quite a lot of support in the first place, to try to build the support as he goes on. but what do the membership actually

think? the membership will vote on the final two which will go on over the final two which will go on over the summer and the active debate is taking place here as you have alerted to doe alluded to, but how long is the process going to take? —— as you have alluded to. former primaries tojohn major has written to the 1922 committee —— former prime minister. he said, for goodness' sake, borisjohnson should 90, goodness' sake, borisjohnson should go, but they have got to decide how swiftly the process can be concluded but the critics of borisjohnson want him out of there swiftly and they don't want to see signs of him are bedding down, if you like, with are bedding down, if you like, with a new cabinet. are bedding down, if you like, with a new cabinet-— a new cabinet. james cleverly is 'ust a new cabinet. james cleverly is just walking _ a new cabinet. james cleverly is just walking in. _ a new cabinet. james cleverly is just walking in. shouldn't i a new cabinet. james cleverly is just walking in. shouldn't there | a new cabinet. james cleverly is i just walking in. shouldn't there be a caretaker prime minister now? —— james cleverly. shouldn't he leave downing street today? no comment at

all. some of them looking steely faced and obviously it has been a very dramatic a few hours and a dramatic 48 hours in westminster. momentous day. borisjohnson has confirmed he will stand down as the leader of the conservative party and step down as prime minister and a new leader will be found. there is pressure on borisjohnson to go sooner but we can hear the resignation statement again. 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. i have agreed with graham brady that the process of choosing that new leader should begin now. the timetable will be announced next week and i have today appointed a cabinet to week and i have today appointed a cabinet ., , ., ., cabinet to serve until a new leader is in place- — cabinet to serve until a new leader is in place- i— cabinet to serve until a new leader is in place. i want— cabinet to serve until a new leader is in place. i want to _

cabinet to serve until a new leader is in place. i want to say _ cabinet to serve until a new leader is in place. i want to say to - cabinet to serve until a new leader is in place. i want to say to the i 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 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 my job, wanted to do so, but because i felt it was myjob, my duty, my obligation to you, to continue what we promised in 2019. in 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 have such a vast mandate and when we have such a vast mandate and when we are actually only a handful of points behind in the polling, even in midterm, after quite a few months of relentless sledging, and when the economic scene is so difficult

domestically and internationally. i regret not to have been successful in those arguments and of course it is painful not to be able to see through so many ideas and projects myself. but as we have seen at westminster, the herd instinct is powerful and when the herd moves it moves, and my friends, in politics, no one is remotely indispensable. 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 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 that we need to pay for great public services. and to that new leader, i say i will give you as much support as i can. and to you,

the british public, i know that there will be many people who are relieved and perhaps quite a few who will also be disappointed, and i want you to know how sad i am to be giving up the bestjob in the world. but them's the breaks. i want to thank carrie and my children and the rest of my family who have put up with so much for so long and i want to thank the peerless british civil service for the help and support you have given, the police and emergency services and of course the fantastic nhs who helped to extend my own period in office at a critical period, as well as the armed services and our agencies that are so admired around the world and the indefatigable conservative party members and supporters whose selfless campaigning makes our democracy possible. i want to thank

the staff here at chequers, at number ten and at chequers, and our fantastic force of detectives, the one group by the way who never leak. above all, i want to thank you, the british public, for the immense privilege that you have given me. i want you to note that from now on until the new prime minister is in place, your interests will be served and the government of the country will be carried on. being the prime minister is an education in itself. travelled to every part of the united kingdom and in addition to the beauty of our natural world, in addition to the beauty of our naturalworld, ifound in addition to the beauty of our natural world, ifound so many people possessed of such boundless british originality and so willing to tackle old in new ways, that i

know that even if things can sometimes seem dark now, our future together is golden. thank you all very much. thank you. good afternoon. you're watching bbc news live from downing street. are headlines at three p. news live from downing street. are borisjohnson resigns as the leader of the conservative party. in a statement outside downing street, he said he was proud of his achievements but he's bowing to pressure to go. but as we have seen at westminster, the herd instinct is a powerful one and when the herd moves, it moves. and my friends, in politics, no one is remotely indispensable. the announcement came after more senior resignations and declarations of no confidence came from his mps.

but sirjohn major warns it would be "unwise" for borisjohnson to remain as prime minister until a new successor is elected. the prime minister appoints a new cabinet but labour leader sir keir starmer says he must step down immediately or he will try to bring a no confidence vote in parliament. he needs to go completely — none of this nonsense about clinging on for a few months. he's inflicted lies, fraud and chaos in the country. good afternoon from downing street, where, just a few hours ago, borisjohnson resigned

as conservative leader. it has been a day of history and drama in a street which has seen so much drama over the decades. in a statement watched by his family and number ten staff, mrjohnson admitted it was "clearly now the will of conservative mps that he stand down". let's remind ourselves of some of the key points from borisjohnson's statement. he plans to stay in downing street until a new tory leader has been elected to replace him as pm. that can take quite a few weeks. and the timetable for the process to choose a new pm will be announced next week. and shortly before mrjohnson took to the podium to make his statement, he began appointing a cabinet to serve until a new leader is in place. among those new appointments,

greg clark has been named new levelling up secretary, and james cleverly as education secretary. and robert buckland returns to the cabinet as wales secretary. some that had stayed loyal to the prime minister during the wave of resignations have shown their support for his decision to stand down. foreign secretary liz truss tweeted. .. and from the opposition, sir keir starmer has urged the pm not to "cling on" and to leave completely rather than remain until a replacement conservative leader is found. and former prime minister sirjohn major has written to the chairman

of the tory 1922 committee to warn it is "unwise" for borisjohnson to remain in office while his successor is chosen and suggested either an interim prime minister or a streamlined election process would be "in the national interest". in the past few minutes, it's been confirmed that deputy prime minister dominic raab will not run to be the conservative party leader. we still await to see who the runners and riders will be, but dominic raab will not be amongst them. shortly after 12.30pm this afternoon, borisjohnson walked out of the door of number ten to confirm he will resign as conservative party leader. right to know what is happening in there is, as i say, a meeting of his new look interim cabinet. let's listen to what he had to say.

in 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 have such a vast mandate and when we are actually only a handful of points behind in the polls, even in mid—term after quite a few months of pretty relentless sledging, and when the economic scene is so difficult domestically and internationally. i regret not to have been successful in those arguments and of course it is painful not to be able to see through so many ideas and projects myself. but as we have seen at westminster, the herd instinct is powerful and when the herd moves, it moves. and my friends, 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, notjust helping families to get through it, but 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 new leader, i say, whoever he or she may be, i will give you as much support as i can. and to you, the british public, i know that there will be many people who are relieved and perhaps quite a few who will also be disappointed, and i want you to know how sad i am to be giving up the bestjob in the world. but them's the breaks. them's the breaks, said the prime minister, as he also said he was giving up the bestjob in the world. the question is who is going to take over that bestjob in the world? it is far too early to say that there are runners and riders are emerging,

we heard dominic raab is not going to be running in the conservative leadership contest. but we have also heard sajid javid, the health secretary who resigned of course, said he is seriously considering running under is talking to colleagues about it. let's speak to david mundell — former scotland secretary and conservative mp for dumfriesshire, clydesdale & tweeddale. he can talk to us now. thank you very much for being with us. you have said on twitter you are relieved about this decision. give us a bit more of a sense of what you thought when you watched boris johnson's statement at lunchtime today? i johnson's statement at lunchtime toda ? ., , johnson's statement at lunchtime toda ? . , ., today? i was relieved that the prime minister had — today? i was relieved that the prime minister had accepted _ today? i was relieved that the prime minister had accepted that _ today? i was relieved that the prime minister had accepted that the i minister had accepted that the majority of conservative mps had lost confidence in him and that it would not be possible to stay on and that we would not have to drag this out with another no—confidence vote. i was pleased that he had accepted that position. i can fully

understand how disappointed he personally is to believing office and i think there was no doubt how much he wanted to be pm, there is no doubt the energy that he put into that role, but in recent weeks, it had become clear that he had lost colleagues' confidence, that we were moving from one daily drama to another, which was unfortunately completely overshadowing the good things the government was doing and any future agenda that he wanted to pursue. d0 any future agenda that he wanted to ursue. ,. ~ any future agenda that he wanted to ursue. ,., ~ ., ., , pursue. do you think of the daily dramas as _ pursue. do you think of the daily dramas as you — pursue. do you think of the daily dramas as you put _ pursue. do you think of the daily dramas as you put them - pursue. do you think of the daily dramas as you put them actually over? because we still do not know really when he is going to be leaving office as prime minister. he seems to be talking about staying in a number ten throughout the summer. what wee i think you need now is clarification from the 1922 committee of exact what is going to

happen. it is fair to say that david cameron and theresa may both left office under more managed circumstances when people knew exactly what the timelines would be. i think it is quite clear that everybody wants those timelines to be as quick as possible, but mps have to have the ability to scrutinise candidates and of course our rules at the moment allow members to choose between the tier candidates that emerge from the mp ballot. david cameron and theresa may were both able to serve in the role of caretaker effectively commit theresa may for longer than david cameron, and of course that means you are not taking a big new policy initiatives or controversial decisions, but you'rejust initiatives or controversial decisions, but you're just getting through with what needs to be done, decisions that need to be made. sir john major, as we were reporting,

has said maybe there should be an interim prime minister or may be a streamlined quicker election process. would you be in favour of either of those and if so who should be the interim prime minister, or caretaker? i be the interim prime minister, or caretaker?— caretaker? i think it is clear, there is a — caretaker? i think it is clear, there is a divergence - caretaker? i think it is clear, there is a divergence of- caretaker? i think it is clear, i there is a divergence of opinion amongst conservative mps, some believe the prime minister should continue as caretaker. i am probably more inclined at a view that if we were going into a more lengthy process that perhaps we would have another individual as the caretaker prime minister, but actually, it is not so much about the individual, it is about what they do in that office, because effectively what has happened this afternoon is that boris johnson's happened this afternoon is that borisjohnson's re—met happened this afternoon is that boris johnson's re—met as happened this afternoon is that borisjohnson's re—met as a prime minister with control over policy and the direction of the government has ended and the new person coming in to be his replacement will then take on that responsibility and in the interim period it is the decisions that need to be made, must

be made, that are the responsibility of the caretaker government. speaking of the caretaker government, the cabinet, caretaker cabinet if you want to call it that, is meeting right now. other members of that caretaker cabinet who are in any way tainted in being in it in terms of potentially being the next leader and by the way he would you want to be the next leader? i leader and by the way he would you want to be the next leader?- want to be the next leader? i think --eole want to be the next leader? i think teo . le will want to be the next leader? i think people williudge _ want to be the next leader? i think people willjudge candidates i want to be the next leader? i think people willjudge candidates for i want to be the next leader? m “w; people willjudge candidates for the leadership in the round, notjust whether they are innate caretaker cabinet or not, butjust the way people have seen them conduct themselves in parliament, in previous ministerial roles. i am not declaring at this stage that anyone because the candidates are not all in the field, but i think clearly we need someone with integrity, somebody who can unify our party and the country and to be frank, we need somebody who mightjust be a little bit more dull than the previous

incumbent, who can focus on just getting on with the day—to—dayjob of governing. getting on with the day-to-day '0b of governingfi of governing. former scotland secretary. _ of governing. former scotland secretary, thank _ of governing. former scotland secretary, thank you - of governing. former scotland secretary, thank you very - of governing. former scotland | secretary, thank you very much indeed for being with us here on it bbc news with your views of where we are. the final endgame for borisjohnson began earlier this week when the former health secretary sajid javid and former chancellor rishi sunak resigned. that opened the floodgates. since then a succession of ministers and aides have pulled their support — including, in a devasting blow, nadhim zahawi, who this morning withdrew his support for the prime ministerjust two days after being made chancellor. jonathan blake has the story of this dramatic morning. downing street often draws a crowd, but this morning real drama was about to unfold.

the prime minister clung on overnight after cabinet colleagues had told him his time was up and first thing there was silence from borisjohnson and his staff. turning up for work amid the turmoil, a last—ditch pledge of loyalty from one minister. the prime minister has my support. the former chancellor off somewhere in a hurry. are you going to make a bid for the leadership, sir? - another senior minister staying in post, but urging the prime minister to go. the facts are undeniable, he can't command the confidence of people, sufficient numbers of people, to serve in his government, he can't engender the support of the parliamentary party and that is why it is so regrettable for us today, it's incredibly sad, for us to reach the conclusion that he sadly must stand down. the resignations kept coming, including those only appointed two days ago.

education secretary michelle donelan said with great sadness she had to step down and chancellor nadhim zahawi telling boris johnson, "go now". then the news borisjohnson had accepted his fate. just through from my colleague chris mason our political editor| that the expectation is now that j boris johnson will resign today. j relief from his mps, and a warning to go quickly. what has happened is ministers have seen what they have referred to as a lack of honesty and integrity and we clearly can't have that. it is much better the pm goes now than dragging on to the privileges committee for potentially finding he knowingly misled the house. because that would have been a disaster too. in the commons, questions from conservatives about exactly what happens now. might it not be in everybody's interest to speed up the transition as much as possible? it will not be not tenable for him to continue as a caretaker- if he cannot fill the ministerial appointments he needs to. i the governance of this country cannot be allowed to fail. borisjohnson's opponents say

he cannot continue in any form. 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 is not functioning in the middle of a cost of living crisis. the chaos and complete lack of integrity that has characterised borisjohnson's premiership has in the last few days descended into complete and utter farce at a time when people in every part of the uk are really struggling with very real challenges. as preparations for a statement from borisjohnson were made, he was filling the big gaps in government left by so many resignations. and then the moment he had fought to resist had come. 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.

and i have agreed with sir graham brady, the chairman of our backbench mps, that the process of choosing that new leader should begin now. he thanked conservative voters, admitted nobody was indispensable, and ended with a message of hope. i know that even if things can sometimes seem dark now, our future together is golden. thank you all very much. thank you. jonathan blake, bbc news. and our political correspondent jonathan blake is here now. let's just talk about the tone of that statement we got at around 12:30pm. quite a lot of people are saying it did not seem to have much in the way of apology and it, a lot of self reflection about the stakes that had been made by the prime minister and indeed a lot of blame of other tory mps, talked about the

herd and when the herd moves, it moves. it herd and when the herd moves, it moves. . , herd and when the herd moves, it moves. ., , ., ., herd and when the herd moves, it moves. . , . ., , , . moves. it was a defiant speech, borderin: moves. it was a defiant speech, bordering on — moves. it was a defiant speech, bordering on resentful. - moves. it was a defiant speech, bordering on resentful. as - moves. it was a defiant speech, bordering on resentful. as you i moves. it was a defiant speech, . bordering on resentful. as you say, no apology, not much humility, no acceptance of the reasons which are so many conservative mps have argued for a long time now that have made him unfit for office. he said as he say the herd had moved and when it moves, it moves quickly. he said i think it was eccentric to change a prime minister at this point when the country was facing huge challenges. he ran through his achievements as he saw it, getting the country through the pandemic, the country through the pandemic, the vaccine roll—out and of course delivering on a brexit, but one mp i spoke tojust a delivering on a brexit, but one mp i spoke to just a few minutes ago who has been trying to get rid of boris johnson for some time now, one of his critics, and a relatively new mp in the party, said they were not surprised at all and it proves the reasons why they wanted boris johnson out. so whilst there is some anger at the style and tone of boris

johnson's resignation speech this afternoon, there is not too much surprise in the manner in which he is leaving office. for surprise in the manner in which he is leaving office.— surprise in the manner in which he is leaving office. for now, we have at this caretaker _ is leaving office. for now, we have at this caretaker government, - is leaving office. for now, we have at this caretaker government, a i at this caretaker government, a meeting of the cabinet, the new cabinet, that is going on right in apple stock we saw the ministers arriving, it is difficult to keep up with what is happening, three education secretaries in three days, but how long does borisjohnson stay as prime minister and how long do we have this caretaker government, if thatis have this caretaker government, if that is what we are going to call it? ., , , , ., ., it? that is the big question at the moment and _ it? that is the big question at the moment and it _ it? that is the big question at the moment and it is _ it? that is the big question at the moment and it is not _ it? that is the big question at the moment and it is not settled. - it? that is the big question at the j moment and it is not settled. the timetable for the leadership contest to choose someone to succeed boris johnson is not yet set and that will need to be agreed by the prime minister and conservative backbenchers and a sir graham brady, the chair 1922 committee, and as we have heard since borisjohnson said this morning ought since we heard he was going to resign, there are a lot of people who want that process done as quickly as possible within the

party. that cabinet meeting will be bizarre frankly, half the people last night were telling him he needed to go and they are still there in theirjobs. there are some new faces who have onlyjust had the call and are now sitting round the table it with the prime minister put what can they get done? very little, it doesn't have a political mandate. there is not frankly very much they can do and i think what we are seeing is attempts to keep the process to replace borisjohnson, if he is going to stay as prime minister, because i do not see him willing to hand over to someone else in the interim while a new leader is chosen, to get that process as quick as possible. chosen, to get that process as quick as possible-— as possible. thank you. i'm sure we will be back— as possible. thank you. i'm sure we will be back with _ as possible. thank you. i'm sure we will be back with you. _ as possible. thank you. i'm sure we will be back with you. talking - as possible. thank you. i'm sure we will be back with you. talking aboutj will be back with you. talking about the new cabinet but more junior ministerial opponents have not yet been made to replace all those dozens and dozens of people who

resigned. in the meantime let's go now to iain watson who is in central lobby meantime let's go now to iain watson who is in central lobby. yes, it just yes, itjust picking up on what you are saying, some government whips are saying, some government whips are expressing frustration in trying to get the current legislation on track with so few junior to get the current legislation on track with so fewjunior ministers. although there is a high—profile minister of the cabinets taking place, many of the people who basically keep the wheels of the government turning simply are not in place and that is something they want to see addressed. the other big debating point here is how quickly can borisjohnson go? at some of his critics are very keen he is either replaced by a caretaker or there is a very swift leadership contest. to help us with that i'm joined by mark, a former secretary of the 1922 committee. that is a group of mps

who drop the leadership roles. first of all, a number of your colleagues, including caroline noakes, this afternoon, that borisjohnson really needs to go. —— draw up the leadership roles. john major wrote to the 1922 committee saying they should in effect a point to someone else rather than borisjohnson. is it realistic for him to go out rather than remain as a caretaker over the summer? i rather than remain as a caretaker over the summer?— rather than remain as a caretaker over the summer? i think he should sta . this over the summer? i think he should stay- this has _ over the summer? i think he should stay. this has been _ over the summer? i think he should stay. this has been a _ over the summer? i think he should stay. this has been a very _ stay. this has been a very disruptive period and i think more disruption would not be welcome both for those people running businesses and in the country and the wider national security situation in europe. the prime minister has appointed a new cabinet, i am glad he has drawn from all wings of the party if you like, they are meeting right now. i think we need to get back to business of running the country and for government to just get on with its work on a day—to—day work, for the coming weeks. the prime minister said he is going,

some of my colleagues wanted him to go. he has said he is going and will probably be gone by the middle, possibly even early september. you sa earl possibly even early september. you say early september, because again some of your colleagues who might be prepared to have him stay on, are expressing frustration to us that he seems to want to stay on, including his parliamentary aides telling us this, untilthe his parliamentary aides telling us this, until the party conference in october and they are saying ok, if you want to stay on, it has to be swift. to as a former secretary of the 1922 committee, how swift is swift? i the 1922 committee, how swift is swift? . ., the 1922 committee, how swift is swift? _, . ~ the 1922 committee, how swift is swift? . ~ ., the 1922 committee, how swift is swift? ., ., swift? i will come back to that, i 'ust swift? i will come back to that, i just wanted _ swift? i will come back to that, i just wanted to _ swift? i will come back to that, i just wanted to say _ swift? i will come back to that, i just wanted to say there - swift? i will come back to that, i just wanted to say there is - just wanted to say there is precedent for the prime minister staying on in this period. theresa may will be two or three weeks stayed on, david cameron stayed on at first i think seven or eight weeks, so i think... we at first i think seven or eight weeks, so i think... we have very little time — weeks, so i think... we have very little time so _ weeks, so i think... we have very little time so that _ weeks, so i think... we have very little time so that is _ weeks, so i think... we have very little time so that is why - weeks, so i think... we have very little time so that is why want - weeks, so i think... we have very little time so that is why want to l little time so that is why want to concentrate on this. is it possible to get this field of candidates, big field of candidates, whittled down

to the final two before parliament rises for the summer? is it possible to get a new prime minister in place by the end of the summer? there will be leadership — by the end of the summer? there will be leadership runs _ by the end of the summer? there will be leadership runs on _ by the end of the summer? there will be leadership runs on monday - by the end of the summer? there will be leadership runs on monday for- by the end of the summer? there will be leadership runs on monday for the | be leadership runs on monday for the various position offices so that will be settled for the new 1922 executive. i hope that executive will move very quickly to ensure we have all the candidates, maybe ten, 12 more, down to two by the summer recess in a couple of weeks' time. that can be done by have multiple ballots over the next couple of weeks and get those two names out to the country and for people to decide full there is a huge amount of experience out there and i think the next leader, prime minister, should be someone with cabinet experience. liz truss for example, ben wallace, grant shapps, there will be others, but we need someone with cabinet experience, huge experience, and those arejust three experience, huge experience, and those are just three names. i appreciate that, that is marquees to be on the 1922 committee. he thinks

a new prime minister could be in place by september. —— that is mark. whittling down to the last two could be done by the summer before the summer break on the 21st ofjuly, so that would be a very intense process, and also gave us the bonus of who thinks might be qualified to be the next prime minister, he mentioned the defence secretary ben wallace, foreign secretary liz truss, amongst them. there will be many many more candidates i think declaring as well, perhaps a dozen, and undoubtably we will see people who also do not have ministerial experience. thank you very much indeed. he mentioned ben wallace. many people have spoken about him as a potential leadership contender and he has been speaking in the last few minutes so let's listen to what he had to say. i have strived throughout this process to build a cross—party consensus on ukraine and i have been very lucky i have been supported from everyone in the snp, labour

party, leader of the labour party and liberal democrats in our policy towards ukraine and i think that is going from strength to strength. there is not a week that goes by when i do not reach out or talk to those parties but also we agree it is important to continue the efforts for ukraine as it strives to defend itself from this awful illegal invasion. , ., ~ ., ., invasion. given that ukraine regard to the uk with _ invasion. given that ukraine regard to the uk with such _ invasion. given that ukraine regard to the uk with such high _ invasion. given that ukraine regard to the uk with such high esteem i invasion. given that ukraine regard l to the uk with such high esteem and there is that personal bond between president zelensky and boris johnson, president zelensky must be looking at a london and seeing what is happening and wondering what is happening to his key ally? what can you say to reassure him i think you know is because he has been visited by ranger parliamentarians, and as has my counterpart the defence minister, that britain is full square behind. == minister, that britain is full square behind.— square behind. -- a range. assistance _ square behind. -- a range. assistance is _ square behind. -- a range. assistance is not _ square behind. -- a range. assistance is not just - square behind. -- a range. assistance is notjust one | square behind. -- a range. - assistance is notjust one person, it is the whole effort. actions matter in this and while the prime minister will be incredibly sad to leave this post, he has led from the

front in ukraine, as he did on covid and brexit and that is not lost on many people, but the whole of the pluto system are supportive of what we're doing in ukraine and do not expert that to finish. —— elementary system. expert that to finish. -- elementary s stem. ., , expert that to finish. -- elementary s stem. ., ., system. there was a commitment not to cut the british _ system. there was a commitment not to cut the british forces _ system. there was a commitment not to cut the british forces in _ system. there was a commitment not to cut the british forces in any - to cut the british forces in any shape orform. do to cut the british forces in any shape or form. do you to cut the british forces in any shape orform. do you think to cut the british forces in any shape or form. do you think the next prime minister would need to make a similar commitment on the armed forces? i similar commitment on the armed forces? ., forces? i think the next prime minister needs _ forces? i think the next prime minister needs to _ forces? i think the next prime minister needs to make - forces? i think the next prime minister needs to make sure l forces? i think the next prime i minister needs to make sure they commit to investing in defence. people can argue about how that investment went, but this prime minister was the first in a generation to actually reverse taking money out of defence and putting it into investment. record £24 billion has gone into defence over a four—year period and that is the first time in most people's generation there is a proper return on investment. until then, from 1991 and the option for change when i was

chancellor took a peace dividend and they took it when the world got more dangerous was that the prime minister reversed that and whoever is prime minister will continue to invest in our defence. ben wallace there, the defence secretary. will he be the next prime minister? he is certainly being spoken of possibly, potentially, in those times. he has come top of one pole which was by a yougov of the conservative party members. joining me now is patrick english, associate director, of political research at yougov. and you've just published a new poll. tell us what it shows. we managed to contact 700 — tell us what it shows. we managed to contact 700 conservative _ tell us what it shows. we managed to contact 700 conservative party - contact 700 conservative party member is overnight last night and what we found was ben wallace leads the pack. the pack is very condensed, 13% of supporters. it is a very tight race as a second race is on 12%. third base is rishi sunak with10%, is on 12%. third base is rishi sunak with 10%, so he has rebounded a

little bit and his resignation has made him a bit more favourable with the party and public as well. the crucial thing we have also been able to do is do head—to—head, so to simulate that eventual run off that they will be put to in front of the membership when they are whittled down by the mps and what we found is ben wallace beats all other candidates put into those run—off simulators by huge margins, we are talking 20% of victories over rishi sunak, liz truss and jeremy hunt, so he is in a very strong position right now with the party member said. . , right now with the party member said. ., , , , , , said. that is the party membership. obviously not _ said. that is the party membership. obviously not necessarily _ said. that is the party membership. obviously not necessarily the - said. that is the party membership. obviously not necessarily the view. obviously not necessarily the view of conservative mps, but i think what is interesting about this race potentially is there is not really a clear front runner. potentially is there is not really a clearfront runner. i know potentially is there is not really a clear front runner. i know your polling shows it is ben wallace, but there are a huge number of people being spoken of and at some of them not necessarily big household names, people like tom tugendhat for example? people like tom tugendhat for examle? .,. , ., .,

people like tom tugendhat for examle? , ., ., , example? exactly, there are two very im ortant example? exactly, there are two very important components, _ example? exactly, there are two very important components, first - example? exactly, there are two very important components, first the - example? exactly, there are two very important components, first the mps| important components, first the mps and they have to select and whittle the field down to two before they get presented to the membership, so there is no guarantee ben wallace will make it to that ballot where he might be able to take advantage of this strong standing of memset right now. is also the field it's very condensed. in that sort of preliminary stage, he only leads by 1%, so statistically speaking there is nothing that. it is very close, very open, as you say a lot of names are being thrown around that do not have any name recognition with the public really whatsoever, so it is very open, the field is open under ben wallace would deftly have an advantage right now, but things can change over campaign as well. —— definitely have an advantage. i think it was ended polling on whether boris johnson think it was ended polling on whether borisjohnson should stay in downing street, this was before his statement and it was pretty clear, i think you'll finding that most people he should not, given the weeks and months of various sagas shall we say that have gone on here

in downing street?— in downing street? yes, we asked whether boris johnson _ in downing street? yes, we asked whether boris johnson should - in downing street? yes, we asked i whether boris johnson should remain whether borisjohnson should remain as caretaker or have a different caretaker. the public are clear or starts and should not continue in his role. that's not surprising, the conservative party over the course of this week have caught up with the position since january whether boris johnson should go. i don't think it's surprising at all, we find a very similar thing now, that he should be removed straightaway and some other arrangement should become too as fast as possible. it’s some other arrangement should become too as fast as possible.— too as fast as possible. it's an extraordinary _ too as fast as possible. it's an extraordinary turn _ too as fast as possible. it's an extraordinary turn of - too as fast as possible. it's an extraordinary turn of event, i too as fast as possible. it's an l extraordinary turn of event, you must think, as a pollster, because two and a half years ago he got that massive majority, he was seen as a huge asset for the conservative party, he was star dust, everything he touched turned to gold, it seemed — but what a difference to a half years make. - but what a difference to a half

years make-— - but what a difference to a half ears make. ., . ., , , years make. that certainly the case. it's worth saying _ years make. that certainly the case. it's worth saying boris _ years make. that certainly the case. it's worth saying boris johnson i years make. that certainly the case. it's worth saying boris johnson was l it's worth saying borisjohnson was never an extraordinarily popular prime minister. he was quite divisive when he first came in. however particularly for those who had never voted conservative before and flipping all those redwall seats, 67% of the public for the past seven months have said they wanted him gone. in truth, the prime minister and the government's ratings have been sliding for almost a year, reaching a high point in the summer of last year and, along with inflation happening, partygate, inflation happening, pa rtygate, cost—of—living inflation happening, partygate, cost—of—living crisis, it's been hammering into borisjohnson's hammering into boris johnson's figures, hammering into borisjohnson's figures, and this is a culmination effect now with negative news cycles, the public simply wants him gone. cycles, the public simply wants him one. . ~' cycles, the public simply wants him one. ., ~ ,, y cycles, the public simply wants him lone. ., ~' , . gone. thank you very much indeed, thanks for the _ gone. thank you very much indeed, thanks for the yougov _ gone. thank you very much indeed, thanks for the yougov perspective i gone. thank you very much indeed, i thanks for the yougov perspective on all this turbulence.

what effect is the current political turbulence having on business? we can speak to tony danker. he's the director—general of the employers' organisation the cbi, which represents 190,000 businesses. i guess the uncertainty of this kind is not good for business? uncertainty isn't good for business, but let's start by thanking the prime minister for everything he but let's start by thanking the prime ministerfor everything he did to standby business during the pandemic, and we wish him well. but you're right, the risk is that now governance in the country grinds to a standstill, and we all sit and wait for the tory leadership contest to be completed before we make any progress. and we can't have that, there are some very important decisions that need taken in the coming days and weeks, everything from a new recovery loan scheme to the leveling out bill, to the financial services bill, to the infra— structure plans we were waiting for. so my big hope is that we don't face stagnation or stasis, or a paralysis in this country will stop government has to keep going in

as quickly as possible, let's complete the leadership contest. i suppose it's difficult for a caretaker government and prime minister, if that's what we are now calling borisjohnson, to push through any big or dramatic changes when there might not be what the prime minister next wants to do. but this prime minister next wants to do. eli this cabinet, this party have agreed upon some pretty significant parts of the queen's speech. they agreed even before the queen speech to implement a whole range of schemes amongst financial support. we would do more harm than good to put them on hold. we are in a fragile state at the moment with economic confidence, so it must be possible to walk and chew gum, to retain some kind of economic confidence and momentum, not on —— whilst waiting

for the leadership contest to be complete. for the leadership contest to be com - lete. ., for the leadership contest to be comlete. ., ., ,, for the leadership contest to be comlete. ., ., ., complete. how would you look back at the johnson government _ complete. how would you look back at the johnson government does - complete. how would you look back at the johnson government does make i complete. how would you look back at| the johnson government does make for thejohnson government does make for a long time, they trumpeted they had the best growth figures, but now not so much. i the best growth figures, but now not so much. ., the best growth figures, but now not so much. ~' ., the best growth figures, but now not so much. ~ ., , ., ., . ~ so much. i think growth is on track to be the lowest _ so much. i think growth is on track to be the lowest amongst - to be the lowest amongst major economic nations last year. but i think the prime minister's government will beer membered for the crises it faced. while businesses and government struggled a lot, they also collaborated a lot during the pandemic, and we did a really good job of working together to avoid the bottom really falling out of the british economy. now what we need is that similar endeavour between business and government whenever they are elected, about this idea for growth. you're absolutely right, growth is not where it should be in the uk, the forecasts are not strong. let's use

this leadership contest to agree on a plan for growth for britain that we can implement with speed and consensus going forward, but the mecca because firms that i speak to her on the country think that's what we need right now.— her on the country think that's what we need right now. tony, thank you ve much we need right now. tony, thank you very much indeed. _ we need right now. tony, thank you very much indeed. cabinet - we need right now. tony, thank you very much indeed. cabinet is i we need right now. tony, thank you very much indeed. cabinet isjust i very much indeed. cabinet isjust starting to break up, we've had this new look cabinet meeting from three o'clock dust 3pm. and our political correspondent jonathan blake is here now. it's a surreal —looking new cabinet? some familiarfaces, they it's a surreal —looking new cabinet? some familiar faces, they got the call from the prime minister today to stand in and fill some of the gaping gaps left in borisjohnson's government after that stream of resignations that has continued over the last couple days. but dominic raab coming out and not responding to any of our questions about

whether he is ready to take over should borisjohnson bow to the demands of some of his mps to not stay in power even in a caretaker capacity for any longer. george eustice, we've seen, james cleverly, the new education secretary also saying nothing. so a relatively brief cabinet meeting, half an hour or so. what can they get done? suddenly all the priorities of this government, the central leveling up policy which boris johnson government, the central leveling up policy which borisjohnson has made the key plank of his agenda, having taken the uk out of the eu — what becomes of that now and all his other policies? as we've seen, there is no support now for borisjohnson in his party, he said he was going to resign and the government really is treading water. the to resign and the government really is treading water.— is treading water. the reality is some of them _ is treading water. the reality is some of them might _ is treading water. the reality is some of them might only i is treading water. the reality is some of them might only be i is treading water. the reality is some of them might only be in| is treading water. the reality is i some of them might only be in the cabinet for a few weeks because there'll be a new prime minister who will have his or her own new

cabinet?— will have his or her own new cabinet? , ., , , ., ,, cabinet? gas, and they will perhaps kee some cabinet? gas, and they will perhaps keep some of _ cabinet? gas, and they will perhaps keep some of these _ cabinet? gas, and they will perhaps keep some of these people - cabinet? gas, and they will perhaps keep some of these people in i cabinet? gas, and they will perhaps i keep some of these people in post... can this cabinet get anything done? one of the most bullish of the prime minister's supporters in the last few weeks and months — even she couldn't save him. find couldn't save him. and she was staunchly _ couldn't save him. and she was staunchly loyal _ couldn't save him. and she was staunchly loyal to _ staunchly loyal to the last, standing behind us over there in the street when the prime minister made his resignation speech earlier on, along with jacob rees—mogg. i think that'sjust along with jacob rees—mogg. i think that's just about along with jacob rees—mogg. i think that'sjust about it, along with jacob rees—mogg. i think that's just about it, ready to defend him till the end. she stays in post amongst those who were not ready to defend the prime minister up ready to defend the prime minister up until last night, grant shapps still in post this morning, nadhim zahawi still in post but urging the prime minister first thing this morning to go and go now. so it would've been awkward, that cabinet

meeting. ilat would've been awkward, that cabinet meetinu. ., ., would've been awkward, that cabinet meetin.. ., ., , ., ., meeting. not saying anything at all, to ou meeting. not saying anything at all, to you jonathan. _ meeting. not saying anything at all, to you jonathan, or _ meeting. not saying anything at all, to you jonathan, or anyone - meeting. not saying anything at all, to you jonathan, or anyone else. i meeting. not saying anything at all, to you jonathan, or anyone else. a i to you jonathan, or anyone else. smile and a wave is about all we got, when asked whether she would be the next prime minister. she's one of the only — the only person to declare their candidacy in the conservative leadership contest, which will play out over the next few weeks, being in the bizarre position as still being in post as the attorney general, declaring she will throw her hat into the ring to replace the prime minister all at onceis replace the prime minister all at once is morning. is this a lame—duck cabinet? once is morning. is this a lame-duck cabinet? . �* , once is morning. is this a lame-duck cabinet? ., �* , ., cabinet? that's the new northern ireland secretary _ cabinet? that's the new northern ireland secretary saying - cabinet? that's the new northern ireland secretary saying he's i cabinet? that's the new northern ireland secretary saying he's got | ireland secretary saying he's got some work to do, which he has. {lii some work to do, which he has. oi course, he's some work to do, which he has. i>i course, he's the nun some work to do, which he has. iii course, he's the nun small task of nursing the brief of northern ireland secretary for the time being, and the northern ireland protocol, of course, that ongoing

issue in the wake of brexit which has caused so much problems for borisjohnson and his government is still unresolved. that's one of the big problems which his successor will have to grasp.— big problems which his successor will have to grasp. jonathan, thanks ve much will have to grasp. jonathan, thanks very much for— will have to grasp. jonathan, thanks very much for the _ will have to grasp. jonathan, thanks very much for the time _ will have to grasp. jonathan, thanks very much for the time being, i will have to grasp. jonathan, thanks very much for the time being, for i very much for the time being, for shouting out your questions to the emerging members of this temporary cabinet. i'm joined now by nick gibb — and former conservative education minister. what are your thoughts on how long borisjohnson should remain behind that door behind me as prime minister? i that door behind me as prime minister? ., that door behind me as prime minister? ~ ., , minister? i think had he resigned from the leadership _ minister? i think had he resigned from the leadership of— minister? i think had he resigned from the leadership of the i from the leadership of the conservative party on tuesday, after the resignation of the health secretary and chancellor, i think he could've continued on until a new leader was elected in the same way theresa may did. but having him climb on after that, then we saw 50 ministers resign — i think now that is not a credible position, either

for the conservative party and commons or by the general public. it's important he goes now that the rains are handed over to a an interim prime minister, who i would suggest as a deputy prime minister, dominic raab, has said he won't be running as a leadership candidate. he should take over so we can have a restoration of that trust and start the process of uniting the party and the process of uniting the party and the country behind a really challenging agenda to tackle all the problems we are facing with the economy post—covid. the problems we are facing with the economy post-covid. the conservative pa s le economy post-covid. the conservative party style themselves _ economy post-covid. the conservative party style themselves as _ economy post-covid. the conservative party style themselves as a _ economy post-covid. the conservative party style themselves as a party i economy post-covid. the conservative party style themselves as a party of i party style themselves as a party of stability — yet there's been chaos in the last few days in particular... in the last few days in particular. . ._ in the last few days in particular... in the last few days in articular... , ., , in the last few days in articular... , .,, particular... yes there has... let me 'ust particular... yes there has... let me just ask _ particular... yes there has... let me just ask you _ particular... yes there has... let me just ask you this _ particular... yes there has... let me just ask you this - _ particular... yes there has... let me just ask you this - we - particular... yes there has... let me just ask you this - we had i particular... yes there has... let i me just ask you this - we had three me just ask you this — we had three education secretary is in 3—4 days, at one stage we had no ministers at all in the education department.

that is not stability of any kind, is it? �* , ., that is not stability of any kind, isit? �*, ., ._ ., is it? it's not, that's really what i'm saying- _ is it? it's not, that's really what i'm saying- had _ is it? it's not, that's really what i'm saying. had the _ is it? it's not, that's really what i'm saying. had the prime i is it? it's not, that's really what i i'm saying. had the prime minister announced his resignation of the leadership of the party on tuesday evening or wednesday morning, i think we wouldn't have had those resignations of 50 or more ministers and pbs�*s, and this what you're talking about. it's important he really pushes the position of prime minister and hands over to somebody on an interim basis who can restore the credibility and trust of the prime ministers office with parliament and the public, that's what i think should happen, it's also the view, as i understand, of john major and other colleagues in the house of commons.— john major and other colleagues in the house of commons. would you think of the — the house of commons. would you think of the tone _ the house of commons. would you think of the tone of _ the house of commons. would you think of the tone of what _ the house of commons. would you think of the tone of what boris i think of the tone of what boris johnson had to say? he was talking about the heard like instincts of mps, tory mps, when the heard moves,

it moves. there wasn't anything in terms of apologies or self reflection from boris johnson, terms of apologies or self reflection from borisjohnson, about the mistakes that had been made in downing street that have really led to this moment? i downing street that have really led to this moment?— to this moment? i understand it's ve sad to this moment? i understand it's very sad when _ to this moment? i understand it's very sad when a _ to this moment? i understand it's very sad when a political- to this moment? i understand it's very sad when a political career. very sad when a political career comes to an end, and i understand why he said the things that he said. but i think there wouldn't have been that stampede for the exit by a number of ministers had he abided by traditional conventions. when you lose the support of the conservative party, which is absolutely clear he had with the resignation of the chancellor and health secretary on tuesday evening, that at that point he should by convention have announced his resignation, then we wouldn't have had these problems. perhaps over the last year, the last several months, we've had this loss of trust in the way the prime minister handled the reporting and

the reaction to the concerns over the reaction to the concerns over the parties in downing street during the parties in downing street during the covid lockdown and how he handled the accusations against chris pincher, and denied that he knew about his history and the allegations made in the past. the way those issues were handled, the lack of integrity that they reveal that has been the problem with the prime minister — the only way that that lack of confidence in him could be conveyed was by those ministers resigning. and because he had to be led to that point, it is now not possible for him to continue, at least continually having any support from the public or parliament. but when you have these statements when a prime minister's here it comes to an end, they're always been emotional to watch.- an end, they're always been emotional to watch. an end, they're always been emotionalto watch. ., ., emotional to watch. nick, thanks for our time.

the prime minister's landslide victory in 2019 would not have been possible without support from the "true blue" tory heartlands. chichester in west sussex is one such place — voters there have picked a conservative mp at every election since 192a — most recently, gillian keegan, who won her seat in 2017. our correspondent duncan kennedy has been guaging the mood of voters there. thank god something's happening and he's going. he's resigned? yes _ oh, no. in chichester, borisjohnson's resignation has brought jubilation and consternation. it's one of the conservatives' safest seats but today even some of his supporters are clear — this political affair is over. your verdict? well, i never wanted him in in the first place because i thought he was always economical with the truth, i think, and it has proved to be the case, hasn't it? what's your view? i think it's time to go, really, isn't it? he tried to hang on, but... yeah, not much to say,

really, has to be done. are you a conservative? yes, i am. thank you. melanie luckes runs a bistro cafe here and is finding the cost of living crisis is affecting her business. she's always voted conservative and has been a supporter of the prime minister. what's your reaction to borisjohnson's resignation? i think it's a great shame. i think he's a very clever man. i think he's tripped himself up and it's a shame. i think he could've gone out on a much better note. but others here say borisjohnson should have gone a long time ago. clear—cut for you? oh, totally, yes. definitely, yes. i think he's let the party down. he's done a lot of. damage to the party. and i don't know how embarrassed| the conservative ministers must be of their constituencies. the conservatives have a 211,000 majority here, but this is one place where, for borisjohnson, it feels like the last tango in chichester.

duncan kennedy, bbc news. let's get some reaction from our correspondent andrew plant — he's in cheltenham. at about 12:30pm after his announcement and after the news he planned to resign, we've talked to people. i tell you, planned to resign, we've talked to people. itell you, if planned to resign, we've talked to people. i tell you, if you ever approached people the camera and ask their opinion, normally you are met with reluctance, but today no problem. everybody has an opinion. cheltenham is interesting electorally because for more than two decades, it was reliably liberal democrat here, they wanted from the conservatives back in 1992 and held onto it for every single general election for more than 22 years, right up till 2015 when the

conservatives took lots of seats— they had a 6000 majority, but that's been dwindling every cent that ever since. by 2017, is down by 2000, and by 2019 it was down to 900. this is the place where every vote counts, and we've been talking to people here today about exactly what they think about what's been going on in downing street for the past a0 years on and how they feel about boris johnson deciding he would finally go. i think it is time to introduce somebody who has got that credibility, because that is what is lost and the respect, and i think that is my reason behind him going, i think. i think it is definitely a good thing to give room to somebody else who can take over and command that respect. who replaces him? who else is around? basically, who is going into office? are they going to make things better for us or is itjust— a whole nightmare again. everybody needs to take a deep breath. i think that people in government need to realise that a lot of people in this country,

we are not london—centric, we are not government—centric. we base our views and our votes on the people in our local area, and i have to say, i am a floating voter — sometimes i am lib dem, sometimes i'm conservative. now the sitting mp here in cheltenham is a conservative, alex chalk, and he resigned it late on tuesday night from his job chalk, and he resigned it late on tuesday night from hisjob in government as solicitor general. he is actually a really good example of one of the biggest problems facing the government right now — because boris johnson's plan the government right now — because borisjohnson's plan is to stay on for 2—3 months whilst we have this leadership contest. over the last a8 hours we've seen that flood of resignations, more than 50 of them. and just like alex chalk, not all these people have said they resigned because they can't in good conscience serve underneath boris johnson. so the question is this — will there be enough people to come in and fill those roles that need

filling in order to keep a functioning government, or will borisjohnson have to go sooner than he has outlined in the last couple of hours in order to get those people to come in and fill those jobs? i think that's one of the biggest questions the government has to answer this afternoon.— to answer this afternoon. andrew, thanks very _ to answer this afternoon. andrew, thanks very much _ to answer this afternoon. andrew, thanks very much indeed, - to answer this afternoon. andrew, thanks very much indeed, my i thanks very much indeed, my colleague who is in cheltenham. we are hearing from chris mason on twitter saying the prime minister has told that new cabinet that's been meeting here this afternoon, "it's not for me to do a major change of direction and my remaining time in office." i'm joined now by pippa catterall, professor of history and policy and the university of westminster. thank you very much indeed for being with us. i suppose, had thank you very much indeed for being with us. isuppose, had boris johnson not made the statement that he made today, we could have ended up he made today, we could have ended up in a real constitutional crisis, couldn't we, in terms of him sitting and digging in as prime minister

even though he lost the support clearly of his party? we could've done that. _ clearly of his party? we could've done that, the _ clearly of his party? we could've done that, the point _ clearly of his party? we could've done that, the point about... i clearly of his party? we could've i done that, the point about... once your mps have turned against you, thanit your mps have turned against you, than it seems increasingly difficult to do that. so it may well be that he has decided that he needs to go sooner rather than later — although this long stay of execution that he's articulated today is quite extraordinary because if you think about it, theresa may left office three years ago, and it seems like every three years the conservative party has a convulsion, that the majority of people who don't vote conservative after just watch whilst they go through this process of electing a new leader and so on.

theresa may left three years ago, in 2019, and didn't have this incredibly long hand over a period thatjohnson is now talking about. i've never seen anything like this in history where a premise or kind of resigns, then says they'll stay in for this link the democrat extremely lengthy hand in period whilst there is the slugfest over the tory candidate. you whilst there is the slugfest over the tory candidate.— whilst there is the slugfest over the tory candidate. you say lengthy, and he might — the tory candidate. you say lengthy, and he might say _ the tory candidate. you say lengthy, and he might say he's _ the tory candidate. you say lengthy, and he might say he'sjust _ the tory candidate. you say lengthy, and he might say he'sjust staying i and he might say he's just staying while the tory party comes up with a new leader. it is theoretically quite a time—consuming process? it quite a time—consuming process? ii didn't happen six years ago when david cameron left, it didn't happen three years ago when theresa may left — admittedly there is less of a clear leadership this time around. i cannot think of any circumstances

where you have such a long hand over period actually occurring. and during that time, we are going to have a prime minister who may say he'll keep the direction going, whatever he means by that. but the fact is he'll be a lame—duck prime minister whose authority is in decline because he has already established that his time in office is limited. ., , ,., ., ~ established that his time in office is limited. ., , ., ~ i. established that his time in office is limited. ., ., ~ ., is limited. professor, thank you for our is limited. professor, thank you for your thoughts- _ is limited. professor, thank you for your thoughts. you _ is limited. professor, thank you for your thoughts. you say _ is limited. professor, thank you for your thoughts. you say a _ is limited. professor, thank you for | your thoughts. you say a lame-duck your thoughts. you say a lame—duck pre—minister, let mejust read your thoughts. you say a lame—duck pre—minister, let me just read you a little bit more about what chris mason has been saying about today plus my cabinet meeting, which began at 3pm here at number ten, this caretaker cabinet if you want to call that. apparently borisjohnson told the new cabinet, "it's not for me to do a major change in direction

and my remaining time in office. i do not expect you will be browbeaten by number ten to do radical or strange new policies." but he also said there is no excuse to take your foot off the paddle, this is what he was telling the cabinet an hour ago when they started that meeting. he says, "we are obliged to do what we already agreed,", joking that this was the best cabinet ever and apparently there won't be a big economic speech involving the prime minister in the chancellor as previously thought. mrjohnson concluded the cabinet meeting, and we've just seen some ministers leaving it now, with the words, "one word of advice — think about the voters." word of advice — think about the voters. " just word of advice — think about the voters."just one word of advice — think about the voters." just one last point from that readout of today's cabinet meeting, borisjohnson has also spoken to president zelensky of ukraine, assuring him that he will

remain as committed to ukraine and the ukrainian cause as britain has been under his leadership. that's what happened with some of the new look cabinet, borisjohnson says it's the best ever — two and half years ago, mrjohnson was pretty much master of all he surveyed. he had started asked, everything he touched seemed to turn to gold. today he is all but gone, his authority evaporated, his integrity in doubt and his legacy questioned. it's been a journey with many striking highs and lows — as our deputy political editor vicki young reports. applause the day that he fulfilled his childhood dream, walking into downing street as prime minister. the uk's decision to leave the eu

had caused division and years of political upheaval. we're going to fulfil the repeated promises of parliament to the people and come out of the eu on october 31st — no ifs or buts. brexit caused turbulence, but it was a global pandemic that dominated borisjohnson's time in office. borisjohnson's path to the top was a well—trodden one. the 20th prime minister to be schooled at eton, he went on to study classics at oxford university. the house will proceed to a division. a career in journalism followed, with a stint in brussels for the telegraph, where he relished mocking the european commission. i don't want to be totally stitched up here... his profile was boosted by tv appearances. mrjohnson later became the mp for henley upon thames, which he held until he was elected mayor of london in 2008. he was the charismatic front man, happy to perform for the cameras. i'm going to have a pint of bitter. such an honour to have you here, mr mayor. oh, please, call me boris.

oh, no... and the mishaps only added to the celebrity status. release the rings into position...now! in 2015, he returned to parliament. the pasty of independence. and a year later endorsed a vote leave, becoming the figurehead for the brexit campaign, attracting adoring crowds as he travelled the country. his eventual reward was a stint as foreign secretary under theresa may. when bitter arguments over brexit brought her down... boris! ..conservative mps pinned their hopes on a man who they believed to be a winner. after three years and two missed deadlines, we must leave the eu. for the first few months of his premiership, brexit continued to be the most devices of issues. many in parliament were determined to stop the uk leaving the eu without a deal. mrjohnson kicked more than 20 rebel tory mps out of the party. he asked the queen to prorogue, orsuspend, parliament,

limiting mps' opportunities to oppose him. the move was challenged in the supreme court. the decision to advise her majesty to prorogue parliament was unlawful. cheering eventually, mrjohnson decided the only option was a general election. "get brexit done" was the slogan at the heart of the conservative campaign — it led to a decisive victory. dozens of labour mps were beaten in areas that the party had held for decades. we did it, we did it! we pulled it off, didn't we? borisjohnson returned as prime minister and this time brexit was assured. his personal life was changing, too. during his second marriage, which lasted 25 years, he'd had several affairs. he'd been sacked as a conservative spokesman for lying about one of them. in spring 2020, he and his wife marina divorced. he later married carrie symonds, who'd previously worked as a conservative party adviser,

and the couple had two children. for his new government, though, everything was put on hold when it was hit by the worst health crisis in modern times. as covid spread, the nhs came under enormous pressure. in a televised address, borisjohnson announced extraordinary restrictions to daily life. from this evening, i must give the british people a very simple instruction — you must stay at home. the prime minister himself became seriously ill with covid. alas, i still have one of the symptoms, a minor symptom of — i still have a temperature... he was admitted to intensive care and spent three days in hospital. a key ally throughout this time was dominic cummings, his unconventional style aggravated many. sorry i'm late. and within a year of the election victory, he'd resigned after a bitter power struggle — clashing with tory mps and the prime minister's wife. he soon went on the attack,

becoming mrjohnson's fiercest and most damaging critic. he doesn't have a plan, he doesn't know how to be prime minister and we've only got him in there because we had to solve a certain problem, not because we thought that he was the right person to be running the country. there were electoral losses, too. the safe buckinghamshire seat of chesham and amersham taken cheers and applause mrjohnson faced an investigation over the complicated funding of a lavish flat refurbishment. and then stories started leaking about rule breaking parties inside number 10, while the rest of the country was in lockdown. after a police investigation, mrjohnson was fined for a birthday celebration in the cabinet room. i've received a fixed penalty notice from the metropolitan police relating to an event in downing street on the 19th ofjune, 2020. altogether, over 120 fines were issued to staff. a report by a senior civil servant

blamed a failure of leadership and mrjohnson was accused of lying about what went on. i can announce that the parliamentary party does have confidence. cheering conservative mps forced a vote of confidence — more than a0% of them wanted him out but he refused to go. the final straw was a chaotic response to allegations of sexual misconduct against the deputy chief whip, chris pincher. ministers were fed up with defending the indefensible. conservative mps had had enough. borisjohnson won them their biggest majority for more than 30 years, fulfilled their dream of leaving the eu, but he was never able to translate his success on the campaign trail into government. vicki young, bbc news. you're watching bbc news. i am alive in downing street. the headlines...

borisjohnson resigns as the leader of the conservative party. in a statement outside downing street, he said he was proud of his achievements but he's bowing to pressure to go. 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. but as we have seen at westminster, the herd instinct is powerful and when the herd moves, it moves. and my friends, in politics, no one is remotely indispensable. the announcement came after more senior resignations and declarations of no confidence came from his mps. the prime minister appoints a new cabinet, but labour leader sir keir starmer says he must step down immediately or he will try to bring a no confidence vote in parliament. he needs to go completely — none of this nonsense about clinging

on for a few months. he's inflicted lies, fraud and chaos in the country. the names of those planning to stand in a leadership contest are beginning to emerge. the deputy prime minister dominic raab says he won't be in the running. good afternoon from downing street, where just a few hours ago borisjohnson resigned as conservative leader. there has been a lot of history made it down the street through the decades but this really was a day of high drama in downing street, just outside number ten, that famous door. just about three and a half

hours ago borisjohnson emerged to say he was resigning as conservative party leader. and this afternoon he's already told his new cabinet that it is "not for me to do a major change of direction" in his remaining time in office. "i don't expect you will be browbeaten by number ten to do radical or strange new policies", he said, but told his senior ministers there was "no excuse to take your foot off the pedal." earlier, outside number ten, in a statement watched by his family and numberten staff, mrjohnson admitted it was "clearly now the will of conservative mps that he stand down." he has been criticised because there was not much in that statement by way of self reflection or apology for the mistakes that have led to this moment. let's remind ourselves of some of the key points from boris johnson's

statement. he plans to stay in downing street until a new tory leader has been elected to replace him as pm. and the timetable for the process to choose a new pm will be announced next week. and shortly before mrjohnson took to the podium to make his statement, he began appointing a cabinet to serve until a new leader is in place. many have been rumoured to be contended for the top job. but this afternoon the deputy prime minister, dominic raab, confirmed he will not stand to be conservative leader. responding to the resignation, foreign secretary liz truss tweeted. .. and from the opposition, sir keir starmer has urged the pm not to "cling on" and to leave

completely rather than remain until a replacement conservative leader is found. and former prime minister sirjohn major has written to the chairman of the tory 1922 committee to warn it is "unwise" for borisjohnson to remain in office while his successor is chosen and suggested either an interim premier or a streamlined election process would be "in the national interest". shortly after 12.30 this afternoon, borisjohnson walked out of the door of number 10 to confirm he will resign as conservative party leader. let's listen to what he had to say. in 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 have such a vast mandate and when we are actually only a handful of points

behind in the polls, even in mid—term after quite a few months of pretty relentless sledging, and when the economic scene is so difficult domestically and internationally. i regret not to have been successful in those arguments and of course it is painful not to be able to see through so many ideas and projects myself. but as we have seen at westminster, the herd instinct is powerful and when the herd moves, it moves. and my friends, 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, notjust helping families to get through it, but 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 new leader, i say, whoever he or she may be, i will give you as much support as i can. and to you, the british public, i know that there will be many people who are relieved and perhaps quite a few who will also be disappointed, and i want you to know how sad i am to be giving up the bestjob in the world. but them's the breaks. them's the breaks, said boris johnson. who is going to be next to have what he called the bestjob in the world? tory party leader and prime minister here at number ten. lots of runners and riders are already being talked about. we have heard the transport secretary, grant shapps, is seriously considering

running for the leadership of the party. we heard early at sajid javid as well. dominic raab though has ruled himself out. i'm joined now by former cabinet minister theresa villiers. thank you very much for being with us. let'sjust look thank you very much for being with us. let's just look ahead first of all, who do you want to be the next leader of your party? i all, who do you want to be the next leader of your party?— leader of your party? i think i am still processing _ leader of your party? i think i am still processing the _ leader of your party? i think i am still processing the momentous i still processing the momentous events of today. i will not be making up my mind on who to support as a potential new prime minister until i know the candidates and have had a chance to talk to them about their programme for the country and defer revitalising the economy. ok. defer revitalising the economy. ok, so our defer revitalising the economy. ok, so your vote — defer revitalising the economy. ok, so your vote is _ defer revitalising the economy. ok, so your vote is open, but let's talk a bit about borisjohnson. —— that planets for revitalising the economy. you said he should go because of what he was inflicting.

this is a party leader who had a strong majority, everything he touched seem to turn to gold. what went wrong? it is touched seem to turn to gold. what went wrong?— went wrong? it is 'ust astonishing it has come _ went wrong? it is 'ust astonishing it has come to — went wrong? it isjust astonishing it has come to this _ went wrong? it isjust astonishing it has come to this after- went wrong? it isjust astonishing it has come to this after a - went wrong? it isjust astonishing it has come to this after a huge i it has come to this after a huge landslide victory in eaten half years ago. unfortunately, very serious misjudgments were made in relation to partygate and more recently in relation to chris pincher and the prime minister's position was unsustainable. and now it is very important that we have some continuity in government, that the team that has just been appointed actually carry on with implementing commitments and tackling things like the cost of living, but we are busy have to proceed as quickly as possible to get a new prime minister and a new team in place. d0 get a new prime minister and a new team in place-— team in place. do you, as a party, as a conservative _ team in place. do you, as a party, as a conservative party, _ team in place. do you, as a party, as a conservative party, take i as a conservative party, take responsibility for this chaos that we now find ourselves in? emin, we

have got lots of governmentjobs that are simply not filled. at one stage we had no ministers in the education department, three education department, three education secretaries in a few days. it is crazy, isn't it? {lii education secretaries in a few days. it is crazy, isn't it?— it is crazy, isn't it? of course, all of us _ it is crazy, isn't it? of course, all of us who _ it is crazy, isn't it? of course, all of us who are _ it is crazy, isn't it? of course, all of us who are elected i all of us who are elected representatives in parliament the conservatives have to take responsibility for that and that is right is essential that new ministers are appointed and the business of government continues. accept that as the prime minister said it is not possible to embark on any radical new policies until his successor is in place, but there is plenty to do with important legislation for example on the northern ireland protocol, on a levelling up, we need to get on with these and bring some calm and unity while we select a successor to the prime minister. bhd while we select a successor to the prime minister.— while we select a successor to the prime minister. and what about boris johnson's in — prime minister. and what about boris johnson's in position? _ prime minister. and what about boris johnson's in position? a _ prime minister. and what about boris johnson's in position? a lot— prime minister. and what about boris johnson's in position? a lot of- johnson's in position? a lot of people, a lot of your conservative colleagues, are saying he cannot just cling on until september for

weeks and weeks throughout the summer whilst there is a leadership election, he needs to go now and for there to be an interim caretaker prime minister. that is one of sir john major's suggestions today. $5 john major's suggestions today. is you said, this whole situation is deeply traumatic. there are no ideal outcomes, but it has been the case in the past that were a prime minister steps down, they stay in office pending the election of a successor, so i think that is the only viable option now. as i said, we do need to continue with important work of government and i believe it is possible for that to continue under boris until we select a new prime minister. ih continue under boris until we select a new prime minister.— a new prime minister. in terms of his statement _ a new prime minister. in terms of his statement here _ a new prime minister. in terms of his statement here at _ a new prime minister. in terms of his statement here at lunchtime, | his statement here at lunchtime, there was not a lot of humility there, was there? he talked about there, was there? he talked about the first micro instinct of tory mps, when the first micro moves, it

moves. most as if he is blaming tory mps. —— when he heard moves. he was not apologising the mistakes he made in downing street. but not apologising the mistakes he made in downing street.— in downing street. but he did a oloaise in downing street. but he did apologise profusely _ in downing street. but he did apologise profusely and i in downing street. but he did i apologise profusely and repeatedly in relating to party gait. i certainly, and i have reiterated that apology to my constituents, i know that many had lost their trust in borisjohnson and it will now be an important task for all of us in the concept is to restore trust in our government after these very difficult few weeks. —— in the conservative party to restore trust. michael gove seemed to indicate he had character flaws when he stabbed him in the back, did we not know it

would end like this?— would end like this? when a new prime minister _ would end like this? when a new prime minister takes _ would end like this? when a new prime minister takes over - would end like this? when a new prime minister takes over it i would end like this? when a new prime minister takes over it is i prime minister takes over it is never certain how things will and. take a great deal of sadness that it has ended like this because boris did to some very significant things. the london olympics was a triumph, he cut crime as mayor, he delivered on brexit, the biggest trade agreement the eu has ever agreed to and the quickest and most successful vaccination campaign in europe, these are all achievements and it gives me a great sense of regret and sadness that he is being brought down by the bad mistakes that were made in relation to party gait and chris pincher.— chris pincher. thank you very much for our chris pincher. thank you very much for yourtime- _ chris pincher. thank you very much for your time. thank _ chris pincher. thank you very much for your time. thank you _ for your time. thank you for being

with us on bbc news. the final endgame for borisjohnson began earlier this week when the former health secretary sajid javid and former chancellor rishi sunak resigned. that opened the floodgates. since then a succession of ministers and aides have pulled their support — including, in a devasting blow, nadhim zahawi, who this morning withdrew his support for the prime ministerjust two days after being made chancellor. jonathan blake has the story of this dramatic morning. downing street often draws a crowd, but this morning real drama was about to unfold. the prime minister clung on overnight after cabinet colleagues had told him his time was up and first thing there was silence from borisjohnson and his staff. turning up for work amid the turmoil, a last—ditch pledge of loyalty from one minister. the prime minister has my support. the former chancellor off somewhere in a hurry. are you going to make a bid

for the leadership, sir? i another senior minister staying in post, but urging the prime minister to go. the facts are undeniable, he can't command the confidence of people, sufficient numbers of people, to serve in his government, he can't engender the support of the parliamentary party and that is why it is so regrettable for us today, it's incredibly sad, for us to reach the conclusion that he sadly must stand down. the resignations kept coming, including those only appointed two days ago. education secretary michelle donelan said with great sadness she had to step down and chancellor nadhim zahawi telling boris johnson, "go now". then the news borisjohnson had accepted his fate. just through from my colleague chris mason our political editor| that the expectation is now that j boris johnson will resign today. j

relief from his mps, and a warning to go quickly. what has happened is ministers have seen what they have referred to as a lack of honesty and integrity and we clearly can't have that. it is much better the pm goes now than dragging on to the privileges committee for potentially finding he knowingly misled the house. because that would have been a disaster too. in the commons, questions from conservatives about exactly what happens now. might it not be in everybody's interest to speed up the transition as much as possible? it will not be not tenable for him to continue as a caretaker- if he cannot fill the ministerial appointments he needs to. i the governance of this country cannot be allowed to fail. borisjohnson's opponents say he cannot continue in any form. 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 is not functioning in the middle of a cost of living crisis. the chaos and complete lack

of integrity that has characterised borisjohnson's premiership has in the last few days descended into complete and utter farce at a time when people in every part of the uk are really struggling with very real challenges. as preparations for a statement from borisjohnson were made, he was filling the big gaps in government left by so many resignations. and then the moment he had fought to resist had come. 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. and i have agreed with sir graham brady, the chairman of our backbench mps, that the process of choosing that new leader should begin now. he thanked conservative voters, admitted nobody was indispensable, and ended with a message of hope. i know that even if things can sometimes seem dark now, our future together is golden.

thank you all very much. thank you. jonathan blake, bbc news. we focus very much now is who takes over from we focus very much now is who takes overfrom boris we focus very much now is who takes over from borisjohnson as tory party leader and prime minister, the job borisjohnson called the best job borisjohnson called the best job in the world. that process of selecting a new tory leader effectively begins right now. and the timetable will be decided by the leadership of the 1922 committee of backbench conservative mps. the rules as they stand today is that any candidate needs the support of eight conservative mps to take part. there follows a series of votes to leave just two candidates. it isa it is a sort of whittling down process. anyone who doesn't get the backing of at least 18 mps in the first round is eliminated. then all members of

the conservative party across the country — notjust mps — will decide the winner. the prime minister's landslide victory in 2019 would not have been possible without support from the "true blue" tory heartlands. chichester in west sussex is one such place — voters there have picked a conservative mp at every election since 192a, most recently gillian keegan, who won her seat in 2017. our correspondent duncan kennedy has been gauging the mood of voters there. thank god something's happening and he's going. he's resigned? yes. oh, no. in chichester, borisjohnson's resignation has brought jubilation and consternation. it's one of the conservatives' safest seats but today even some of his supporters are clear —

this political affair is over. your verdict? well, i never wanted him in in the first place because i thought he was always economical with the truth, i think, and it has proved to be the case, hasn't it? what's your view? i think it's time to go, really, isn't it? he tried to hang on, but... yeah, not much to say, really, has to be done. are you a conservative? yes, i am. thank you. melanie luckes runs a bistro cafe here and is finding the cost of living crisis is affecting her business. she's always voted conservative and has been a supporter of the prime minister. what's your reaction to borisjohnson's resignation? i think it's a great shame. i think he's a very clever man. i think he's tripped himself up and it's a shame. i think he could've gone out on a much better note. but others here say borisjohnson should have gone a long time ago. clear—cut for you? oh, totally, yes. definitely, yes.

i think he's let the party down. he's done a lot of. damage to the party. and i don't know how embarrassed| the conservative ministers must be of their constituencies. the conservatives have a 2a,000 majority here, but this is one place where, for borisjohnson, it feels like the last tango in chichester. duncan kennedy, bbc news. we've been getting reaction from members of the public in borisjohnson's own constituency of uxbridge. i think the general public have had enough of him, his lies, the whole covid situation about lying. we think it was about time for him to go. think it was about time for him to co. think it was about time for him to .o. ., , ., think it was about time for him to go. he has done some good things but too many underhanded _ go. he has done some good things but too many underhanded things - go. he has done some good things but too many underhanded things i - go. he has done some good things but too many underhanded things i think. too many underhanded things i think that everyone has found out about. people _ that everyone has found out about. people need to realise he has still done _ people need to realise he has still done a _ people need to realise he has still done a lot— people need to realise he has still done a lot for— people need to realise he has still done a lot for the _ people need to realise he has still done a lot for the country. - people need to realise he has still

done a lot for the country. he i done a lot for the country. he protected _ done a lot for the country. he protected us— done a lot for the country. he protected us from _ done a lot for the country. he protected us from covid, i done a lot for the country. he i protected us from covid, people forget _ protected us from covid, people forget that _ protected us from covid, people forget that. we _ protected us from covid, people forget that. we need _ protected us from covid, people forget that. we need to - protected us from covid, people i forget that. we need to remember what he _ forget that. we need to remember what he has — forget that. we need to remember what he has done _ forget that. we need to remember what he has done for— forget that. we need to remember what he has done for people - forget that. we need to remember what he has done for people as i forget that. we need to remember. what he has done for people as well. he has_ what he has done for people as well. he has done — what he has done for people as well. he has done a — what he has done for people as well. he has done a lot _ what he has done for people as well. he has done a lot of— what he has done for people as well. he has done a lot of bad _ what he has done for people as well. he has done a lot of bad stuff- what he has done for people as well. he has done a lot of bad stuff as- he has done a lot of bad stuff as well, _ he has done a lot of bad stuff as well, but — he has done a lot of bad stuff as well, but done _ he has done a lot of bad stuff as well, but done a _ he has done a lot of bad stuff as well, but done a lot— he has done a lot of bad stuff as well, but done a lot of— he has done a lot of bad stuff as well, but done a lot of good i he has done a lot of bad stuff as| well, but done a lot of good stuff also _ well, but done a lot of good stuff also. �* ., , ., , well, but done a lot of good stuff also. , .., well, but done a lot of good stuff also. , .,, also. boris was micro curious character. — also. boris was micro curious character. we _ also. boris was micro curious character, we all _ also. boris was micro curious character, we all know, i also. boris was micro curious i character, we all know, because also. boris was micro curious - character, we all know, because you don't have charisma, but he has not really stepped up to the game. —— because he does have charisma. he has the slogans but he does not follow through. in has the slogans but he does not follow through.— has the slogans but he does not follow through. in my opinion, he has done it— follow through. in my opinion, he has done it so _ follow through. in my opinion, he has done it so many _ follow through. in my opinion, he has done it so many things i follow through. in my opinion, he has done it so many things wrong follow through. in my opinion, he i has done it so many things wrong is, lies after— has done it so many things wrong is, lies after lies — has done it so many things wrong is, lies after lies and he seems to keep getting _ lies after lies and he seems to keep getting away with it and it is time he had _ getting away with it and it is time he had to— getting away with it and it is time he had to go and get someone new in. the views— he had to go and get someone new in. the views of— he had to go and get someone new in. the views of some voters. our political correspondent jonathan blake is at parliament. he was here in downing street talking to me a little earlier on. we have that cabinet meeting in downing street and we gather boris johnson was saying to this caretaker cabinet you will not be doing anything very radical in the next

few weeks, because this is a caretaker summer period until they know tory party leader and prime minister is selected. i know tory party leader and prime minister is selected.— minister is selected. i think this is all they really _ minister is selected. i think this is all they really can _ minister is selected. i think this is all they really can do - minister is selected. i think this is all they really can do because this is now an emergency cabinet of sorts. he was left with gaping holes in government after those resignations are eventually forced to resign and so now without really any political agenda that his party supports him for, theyjust have to keep the wheels in motion and keep things ticking over, so it will be something of a skeleton government really that we see in place over the next few weeks and the conservative party will once to get on and install a new leader with a new set of promises and policies, we assume, and to continue in government and they will want that process to happen as soon as possible. when you

talk about a new _ happen as soon as possible. when you talk about a new leader, _ happen as soon as possible. when you talk about a new leader, already i happen as soon as possible. when you talk about a new leader, already of. talk about a new leader, already of course the mill is churning at double speed and we are hearing about certain people such as sajid javid who are seriously considering a run at the leadership. some people like nick rob apparently running himself out. who do you see as the key contenders? —— people like dominic raab. at one stage rishi sunak was talked of as the heir apparent, but that has changed quite dramatically in the last few months. yes, because he ran into trouble not least because of controversy over his wife's tax affairs, his own status with us green card and also having received a fine for that eventin having received a fine for that event in the cabinet office as part of the party gait saga fur breaking lockdown rules. he is somewhat tainted from that and many have written him off as a serious contender because of that result but i think it would still garner a certain level of support. as far as we know today, the deputy prime

minister dominic raab has ruled himself out. we know that the attorney general intends to stand, steve baker the backbench mps says colleagues had been imploring him to throw his hat in the ring, but we do not have any confirmed contenders beyond that. we are told grant shapps the transport secretary is a seriously considering running, as is sajid javid the former health secretary. and there will be others considering whether now is the moment. the trade minister is seen as a serious contender, tom tugendhat has all but confirmed he will running. the former army officer and chair of the commons foreign affairs committee. ben wallace, the defence secretary, another name people talk about about getting a good deal of support but

it is an open field and the fact there is no one leading contender people can unite around at the moment is one of the reasons it took his opponents in the party so long to move against him. find his opponents in the party so long to move against him.— his opponents in the party so long to move against him. and it is going to move against him. and it is going to be a long — to move against him. and it is going to be a long process, _ to move against him. and it is going to be a long process, we _ to move against him. and it is going to be a long process, we might - to move against him. and it is going to be a long process, we might not. to be a long process, we might not know who his replacement is until september, so in the meantime boris johnson stays here at number ten, clinging on the labour leader said, but quite a few of his own mps are feeling a bit queasy about the fact that he will still be prime minister throughout the summit pretty much. yes, some want somebody else to take charge. —— throughout the summer. they're not happy with borisjohnson being in this caretaker role, they worry about what he could do in the interim and such is the level of distrust and anger towards their leader that we have seen coming out in the last few days as mp after mp expressed no confidence in him and a

minister after minister resigned, they argue it is just not viable for him to continue in the role even in this capacity. one minister said to me earlier that they thought his resignation speech was shocking, there was no apology, not even any proper resignation and no humility expressed by borisjohnson and that is what makes them really wonder whether he should be able to continue in the role as it is. but i think what is more likely than him handing power to somebody else who would have to then go to see the queen to effectively form a temporary government on their own is that we see the process to choose a new conservative leader streamlined and shortened as much as possible, truncated to try to get somebody in post as quickly as possible and we have heard from sirjohn major today, the former conservative leader and prime minister, saying we need to cut members out of the process, just let mps decide and get someone in as quickly as possible.

the backbench1922 committee will meet on monday to elect a new executive and decide the rules that should govern this process. they will have to agree a timetable too with boris johnson will have to agree a timetable too with borisjohnson in at number ten. i wonder what the tory party member ship would think about that idea of being cut out of the process, but we will see how long it all takes. the bbc�*s iain watson is at central lobby. he's been speaking to conservative mp sara britcliffe, who quit her unpaid government post as parliamentary private secretary in the department for education yesterday. to enemy as t0 enemy as someone to enemy as someone who is elected as the youngest mp back in 2019 in lancashire, taking the seat from labour for the first time in three decades. you resigned from the education

department yesterday. i spoke to you several months ago during partygate when it was at its height and you are very loyal then, so first of all, what changed your mind? i think my resignation yesterday came after i realised that actually, the prime minister's position was untenable at that point. we had had so many resignations, we couldn't govern the way we needed to and deliver on what the people want us to deliver on. and i think i realised that yesterday and it was such a hard decision to give up a role that i absolutely loved, i've been in the department for 18 months and it was an absolute privilege to work with nadhim zahawi as the secretary of state and... would you back him as boris johnson's replacement? i know he's been ringing round trying to drum up support this morning. so i think nadhim zahawi is a great man and it somebody that i've worked very, very closely with, has got key priorities and is an all—round good guy. but obviously there's a lot of conversations going at the moment, a lot of phone calls, so my decision hasn't been made. but i do think nadhim zahawi is a very good man and would put the interests of the country first. he will obviously be continuing as chancellor but some

of your colleagues are concerned with some new cabinet appointments that borisjohnson seems to perhaps be bedding in, certainly one of his closest colleagues we were talking to earlier said he expects to stay on until the party conference in october. the rules and the timetable are currently being discussed, we will find out what they are on monday but would you favour a shorter or longer contest? i think at the moment, we will see what the 1922 decides, to be honest and i have come out publicly and said i do think the prime minister should stay on and govern the way we need to. because as you can imagine, we still need to pass policy, pass laws and it is important we have a cabinet in position and we have ministers there to be able to deliver on that. would you go back in if you are reappointed by borisjohnson in the short term? i know some whips here have been discussing how difficult it is to get legislation through with so fewjunior ministers. that with so few 'unior ministers. that was with so fewjunior ministers. that was something — with so fewjunior ministers. that was something i _ with so fewjunior ministers. twat was something i recognised yesterday when i was sat in the debate for education. there was only myself and the secretary of state left in the

department. sol the secretary of state left in the department. so i think it comes down to we got a job to do. if i was asked to go back into the position to help legislate and help get through the job done micro laws we would want to see it, i would take thatjob again. in would want to see it, i would take that job again-— would want to see it, i would take that job again. in other words, the redwall seat _ that job again. in other words, the redwall seat had _ that job again. in other words, the redwall seat had been _ that job again. in other words, the redwall seat had been held - that job again. in other words, the redwall seat had been held by - that job again. in other words, the i redwall seat had been held by labour for years and years. the whole levelling up agenda, along with brexit, orsome levelling up agenda, along with brexit, or some of the things that attracted you and people who voted for you to the conservative banner. you think that's in danger of going out? several mps simply... you think that's in danger of going out? several mps simply. . .- out? several mps simply... that's one of the — out? several mps simply... that's one of the things _ out? several mps simply... that's one of the things i'm _ out? several mps simply... that's one of the things i'm looking - out? several mps simply... that's one of the things i'm looking for l out? several mps simply... that's| one of the things i'm looking for in a new leader now, someone who will be continuing to look to deliver on the levelling up agenda. we got the £20 million levelling up bed, we've got funding coming into the patch before that we've never seen, so i'm

looking for a leader who can still deliver that. there are lots of supporters on the doorstep for boris, i was very loyal to boris, as you know and have mentioned, but i just think it got to the point where he could not govern any more because they were so many resignations. briefly, we have now a kent mp charge of leveling out. does that settle well?— settle well? when we talk about levellin: settle well? when we talk about levelling up. — settle well? when we talk about levelling up, it's— settle well? when we talk about levelling up, it's all— settle well? when we talk about levelling up, it's all about - levelling up, it's all about levelling up, it's all about levelling up, it's all about levelling up my patch. but levelling up levelling up my patch. but levelling up the whole country is what it's about, and i do hope the new cabinet minister will be having the conversations with the northern mps in terms of what they want to see and delivered. submissions will be opening soon to submit their bids, etc, and it's something i've campaigned on and somebody needs to deliver on that, and i hope that will be the case.— will be the case. thank you for 'oinin: will be the case. thank you for joining us- _ will be the case. thank you for joining us. one _ will be the case. thank you for joining us. one of— will be the case. thank you for joining us. one of the - will be the case. thank you for| joining us. one of the youngest will be the case. thank you for - joining us. one of the youngest mps elected in 2019, levelling up is a

very important agenda for her. greg clarke is the new secretary of state in that apartment, representing a seatin in that apartment, representing a seat in a kent, so she will want some that that part of the agenda lives on. she spoke very warmly and highly of nadhim zahawi, who will undoubtedly be a candidate in forthcoming leadership race. in watson there. we can get reaction now from the labour party. louise haigh is the shadow transport secretary. thanks forjoining us, you got what you wanted, borisjohnson has resigned. you wanted, boris johnson has resiuned. , ., , , . you wanted, boris johnson has resiuned. , ., _ ., ., resigned. obviously we have long called for boris _ resigned. obviously we have long called for boris johnson _ resigned. obviously we have long called for boris johnson to - resigned. obviously we have long| called for boris johnson to resign, called for borisjohnson to resign, he's presided over the most appalling degradation of standards and integrity in the office of prime minister, and indeed in the government, and it is absolutely the right thing for him to do as prime minister, after the series of scandals and the undermining of the institutions of a parliament he's

been personally responsible for. we would like him to go immediately, we don't think you should remain any longer because he's proven time and time again that he's completely unfit to govern. we honestly believe the problem goes a lot deeper than that, and we will not solve a lot of theissues that, and we will not solve a lot of the issues at the moment by simply changing one man at the top of the conservatives. the country is facing a deep inflationary and cost—of—living crisis at the moment which this government has exacerbated with their economic policies and incompetence. and we don't think they are the right party or the right government to get out of this mess. so we believe... you want ltoris — of this mess. so we believe... you want boris johnson _ of this mess. so we believe... you want borisjohnson to of this mess. so we believe... you want boris johnson to go of this mess. so we believe... you want borisjohnson to go now, but actually, what he's saying is he's got to stay while the tory party have their leadership election. that's fair enough, isn't it? i think if he's lost the confidence of his parliamentary colleagues, clearly lost the confidence of the country. it's not right that he should be made to maintain office.

he's not able to get through the plan of issues and their solution we need to see to tackling the major issues in this country. so he needs to step down immediately. as i say, the problems that this country faces cannot be resolved by this government.— cannot be resolved by this covernment. �* , , government. but surely if you were re - laced government. but surely if you were replaced by — government. but surely if you were replaced by an _ government. but surely if you were replaced by an interim _ government. but surely if you were replaced by an interim prime - replaced by an interim prime minister or caretaker prime minister, they couldn't do anything radical either, could they, because they wouldn't have a mandate? you'd have to wait until the next party leader, and that will probably be september. let leader, and that will probably be september-— leader, and that will probably be se tember. , . ., , september. let us reflect on why boris johnson _ september. let us reflect on why boris johnson has _ september. let us reflect on why boris johnson has finally - september. let us reflect on why boris johnson has finally been . boris johnson has finally been removed from office and what his colleagues finally decided to submit so many no—confidence letters. it's because he knew a man that was a sexual predator and promoted him to a cheap wit —— chief whip across the parliamentary. this is not a man who

should be in power in any part of the country, so he shouldn't remain in post any longer and that's why so many of his own colleagues have forced him out. but as i say, we are 12 years into tory government, he's been our third tory prime minister, he is provided over the steepest decline in living standards since records began. we've got record waiting lists and the nhs, public transport is declining around the country — we need a government that is able to respond to those kinds of crises and the issues facing ordinary people. we believe the country is crying out for a fresh start, that's why we want to see a complete change in government. isn’t complete change in government. isn't the reality that _ complete change in government. isn't the reality that actually in some ways, and privately labour mps will admit this, they would've like boris johnson to stay on to be the tory leader at the next election? because you, the labour party think you'd have done better had he still been leader of the tory party because he was pretty unpopular after all the partygate allegations, and so on. so

you're actually a little bit disappointed in some ways that he's gone? disappointed in some ways that he's cone? , disappointed in some ways that he's one? , ._ disappointed in some ways that he's .one? , ., , ., disappointed in some ways that he's one? , ., , disappointed in some ways that he's one? , ., gone? every day that boris johnson remained in — gone? every day that boris johnson remained in office _ gone? every day that boris johnson remained in office further - gone? every day that boris johnson j remained in office further degraded standards in public life and trust and faith in the really important democratic institutions of government and parliament. is absolutely the right thing for the country, for politics and parliament that he is removed from office as quickly as possible. we are absolutely clear, none of the issues facing the country will be resolved and no matter who leads the tory party. they got us into the crisis we are in, they've presided over terminally low economic growth over the last 12 years, and whoever leads the last 12 years, and whoever leads the tory party has no answers to the major issues that this country is facing. we are absolutely clear labour are government ready and waiting to serve, and that's why we will step up a vote of no—confidence if borisjohnson is not removed as prime minister. if boris johnson is not removed as prime minister.— prime minister. thank you much

indeed, prime minister. thank you much indeed. the _ prime minister. thank you much indeed, the shadow _ prime minister. thank you much indeed, the shadow secretary i prime minister. thank you much indeed, the shadow secretary of| indeed, the shadow secretary of transport for the labour party. let's talk to the mp george freeman, who resigned just this morning as minister for science, research and innovation. it's been a very dramatic day, very hard to keep up with events. what do you make of it all, and do you think borisjohnson should now be able to clean on, as labour have said he's doing, inside numberten clean on, as labour have said he's doing, inside number ten throughout the summer until there's a new leader? ~ , the summer until there's a new leader? y , the summer until there's a new leader? g , ., , leader? my first point to make is this is the most _ leader? my first point to make is this is the most extraordinary - this is the most extraordinary situation and crisis. with the greatest respect to your previous speaker, it's not a crisis of policy or in terms of a schism in the conservative party. it is a crisis of public and political and one person, in the prime minister prospect character in office. that's why i and 50 other ministers have resigned. i think the public is still with us in terms of delivering the manifesto, still behind us on levelling up, on making breaks it

the biggest investment in trains and buses. that's not the issue. the issueis buses. that's not the issue. the issue is a personal tragedy for the minister and a clinical tragedy for the country, they've lost the ability to command a trust and respect. he's admitted that by saying he has to go.— respect. he's admitted that by saying he has to go. sorry, you're talkin: saying he has to go. sorry, you're talking about _ saying he has to go. sorry, you're talking about him _ saying he has to go. sorry, you're talking about him is _ saying he has to go. sorry, you're talking about him is a _ saying he has to go. sorry, you're talking about him is a flawed - talking about him is a flawed character, but you're the party who elected him, so doesn't that reflect poorly on you as a conservative party? in poorly on you as a conservative pa ? ., ., ., poorly on you as a conservative pa ? ., , , party? in good faith, nobody is directed, nobody _ party? in good faith, nobody is directed, nobody claims - party? in good faith, nobody is directed, nobody claims he - party? in good faith, nobody is| directed, nobody claims he was party? in good faith, nobody is i directed, nobody claims he was a patron saint— i never had and he never had. 50 patron saint- i never had and he never had-— patron saint- i never had and he never had. , , ., . never had. so why did you elected him? i'll never had. so why did you elected him? llltell— never had. so why did you elected him? i'll tell you _ never had. so why did you elected him? i'll tell you if— never had. so why did you elected him? i'll tell you if you _ never had. so why did you elected him? i'll tell you if you let - never had. so why did you elected him? i'll tell you if you let me - him? i'll tell you if you let me finish. because he _ him? i'll tell you if you let me finish. because he stood - him? i'll tell you if you let me finish. because he stood on . him? i'll tell you if you let me finish. because he stood on a | him? i'll tell you if you let me - finish. because he stood on a very clear take it as a one nation conservative committed to making brexiteers a moment not of division but unity, of inspiring national renewal, and he won a commanding

majority on that ticket. but i'm afraid he's struggled to turn that very strong campaign message into a coherent and stable government. we've lurched in the last few weeks and months into a serious crisis. my point is this — with the best will in the world, i don't see how this prime minister can turn this stability in a week. i don't see how it will happen with the chancellor who says he already doesn't have faith and confidence in the prime minister, and an attorney general who said the same. i think the prime minister has to step aside, there must be a caretaker by minister to give us stability in government so we can take the summer to choose the next right leader. the danger is... sorry, who is the interim prime minister? they would not have been elected, obviously. the minister? they would not have been elected, obviously.— elected, obviously. the obvious candidate would _ elected, obviously. the obvious candidate would be _ elected, obviously. the obvious candidate would be the - elected, obviously. the obvious candidate would be the deputy| elected, obviously. the obvious - candidate would be the deputy prime minister, dominic raab. i think there are a number of people who could do it. the problem is they then wouldn't be prime mr, they'd be stepping aside from that and

stepping aside from that and stepping in to provide the cabinet responsibility, the collective government responsibility that we need. we don't have a presidential system in this country, we have a prime minister who governs through a cabinet. ministers are bound and by collective cabinet responsibility and it's broken down, and needs to be repaired fast so we can get back to governing in the national interest. i don't see how the prime minister can do that. the interest. i don't see how the prime minister can do that.— minister can do that. the reason i was pressing _ minister can do that. the reason i was pressing at — minister can do that. the reason i was pressing at the _ minister can do that. the reason i was pressing at the beginning - minister can do that. the reason i i was pressing at the beginning about your choice for borisjohnson is i want to ask you whether you think the conservative party will pay the price at the next election for selecting him? you tweeted earlier, "this cannot go on, enough is enough." there is still chaos in government but there are lots of ministerial positions that are simply unfilled at the moment. you made m simply unfilled at the moment. m. made my point for me so i might you've made my point for me. we will have to re—earn public trust in public government. in the whole

process of parliamentary democracy, thatis process of parliamentary democracy, that is the challenge we face and it is our responsibility, and we need to get on with it. it starts right now, the prime minister has said that. ijust don't now, the prime minister has said that. i just don't think now, the prime minister has said that. ijust don't think he can preside over that given the very personal crisis of collapsing confidence in him that we are in. this isn't the same with theresa may at all — she ran into a policy crisis, she simply could not get her brexit deal through the house. but i don't think anybody felt she wasn't a very diligent and responsible, and competent administrator who was capable of running a government. this is a personal crisis of confidence in the man at the top. until he's gone i don't think we'll be able to stabilise that. you mentioned — be able to stabilise that. you mentioned theresa - be able to stabilise that. you mentioned theresa may, it's been said that borisjohnson wants to stay as prime minister because he doesn't want to have been seen in the history books to have served

less time as prime minister than theresa may, and at the moment he's 28 days short. the theresa may, and at the moment he's 28 days short-— 28 days short. the conservative pa has 28 days short. the conservative party has been _ 28 days short. the conservative party has been the _ 28 days short. the conservative . party has been the longest-serving party has been the longest—serving party in the country because we stand on principles. we put country before party, that we put country and because before personality. and it is really important that we govern in that tradition, and i would urge everybody at the moment that our primary response ability is not ourselves but the crown, the country and the government, to the people we serve. this is not about individual promotion or personalities, it's about restoring confidence fast in our system of government. and that is urgent, it can't be delayed for 2—3 months, it needs to start tonight. irate can't be delayed for 2-3 months, it needs to start tonight.— needs to start tonight. we are crateful needs to start tonight. we are grateful to _ needs to start tonight. we are grateful to you _ needs to start tonight. we are grateful to you for _ needs to start tonight. we are grateful to you for your - needs to start tonight. we are grateful to you for your time l needs to start tonight. we are i grateful to you for your time this evening, thank you very much, george freeman. i'm joined now by dr catherine haddon, seniorfellow at the institute for government.

what are the constitutional implications to think of all of this? we are in a strange position where we have the prime minister who has resigned as leader. what about this makeshift government at the moment? ., , ., ., , ., �*, moment? constitutionally that's what's supposed _ moment? constitutionally that's what's supposed to _ moment? constitutionally that's what's supposed to happen - moment? constitutionally that's - what's supposed to happen because by leaving the leadership in this way, even though there hasn't been a formal vote, even though there hasn't been a formalvote, he's even though there hasn't been a formal vote, he's effectively lost his majority and the support of his party. and that means that the caretaker principles come into play. that puts some restrictions on what you are and are not allowed to do. that said, it's not supposed to stop you dealing with business and government. so this means that you have to makejudgment

government. so this means that you have to make judgment calls all the time about what is appropriate to continue working, when it comes to inflation and cost of living, where do you need to make decisions about the economy that could prove controversial — where do you need to drop things? channel for privatisation, changes to the human rights act —— channel 4. what aspects of their manifesto are now deadin aspects of their manifesto are now dead in the water before this new leadership comes in? as you been hearing from george freeman, there are lots in the party who are not comfortable with borisjohnson playing that role, then you get into questions of, if they can't force him to step down, how do they get that? the main one is they need to decide collectively on an alternative leader. and if you get different views about who that person should be, then it very well is hard constitutionally to get rid of borisjohnson. the is hard constitutionally to get rid of boris johnson.— is hard constitutionally to get rid of boris johnson. the point i was makin: of boris johnson. the point i was making george _ of boris johnson. the point i was making george freeman, - of boris johnson. the point i was making george freeman, a - of boris johnson. the point i was making george freeman, a lot i of boris johnson. the point i was| making george freeman, a lot of

these resignations we've seen, and there have been dozens of them, those jobs haven't been filled. yes, there's a new look cabinet, but below that there's a lot of positions unfilled. to some extent, do you think the uk government at the moment is an auto pilot at the moment with the civil service running everything? it moment with the civil service running everything?- moment with the civil service running everything? it is, and there are thins running everything? it is, and there are things the _ running everything? it is, and there are things the civil— running everything? it is, and there are things the civil service - running everything? it is, and there are things the civil service can't - are things the civil service can't do. we've been hearing the last few days a lot of people talking about various legislation committees in the house of commons that can't get on with progressing things there. there are some really important things when it comes to special education needs support that were due in the pipeline that need junior ministers to carry them through because it's a lot of work and you can't do it on a limited number of people. so they do need to fill those posts, and that's why this question about, or people willing to serve in a borisjohnson lead caretaker government is so important, because if they aren't

than a lot of stuff gets put on stasis. and when you have all the other things that might have to be on hold, like various public appointments and so forth until there is a new leader, that makes it all very tricky for them governing. this will be one of the things they will consider next week when they decide whether to truncate the process and get somebody in place much sooner. process and get somebody in place much sooner-— much sooner. when we look back, boris much sooner. when we look back, ltoris johnson _ much sooner. when we look back, boris johnson was _ much sooner. when we look back, boris johnson was elected - much sooner. when we look back, boris johnson was elected with - much sooner. when we look back, boris johnson was elected with a l borisjohnson was elected with a huge majority, 80 seats in 2019 — his argument in the last few days was he was elected but that thumping majority, and he said to the men and women who came to say it's time to 90, women who came to say it's time to go, he said no, he has a popular mandate. maybe some people voted for him in 2019 and will be questioning this whole process about how lots of people can knock on the door of number ten and tell them to go, than

in the end he does go.— in the end he does go. general elections bookmark _ in the end he does go. general elections bookmark the - in the end he does go. general elections bookmark the ends i in the end he does go. general| elections bookmark the ends of premier ships, they are not the thing that determines throughout the course of the premiership whether you stay in. that is about the confidence of your mps, the ability to continue governing to get business through the house of commons. but that's a personal mandate, that's part and parcel of our democracy, our constitution. it is not the defining issue of why you are prime minister. you look back at the history of prime ministers over the course of the last 70 years — many of them have ended up leaving office even after having won a general election, whether it was by a huge majority or whether, like john major in 1992, it was a surprise victory. they still ended up surprise victory. they still ended up leaving office — many still left

office and not quite spectacular circumstances, but certainly pushed out by their party. things do change, and a lot of people will be looking at current polling and not the polling for 2019 and their judgment as to why they want boris johnson out. judgment as to why they want boris johnson out-— judgment as to why they want boris johnson out. catherine, thanks very much indeed- _ let's take a look at how the news of borisjohnson's resignation has been received around the world. michel barnier, the eu's former chief negotiator, said mrjohnson's departure "opens a new page in relations with" the uk, one he hoped would be "more constructive, more respectful of commitments made, in particular regarding peace and stability in northern ireland, and more friendly". meanwhile, ireland's premier, micheal martin, said he sees an opportunity to hit the reset button on a relationship that, in his words, has been "strained and challenged in recent times." martin said the two countries now have an opportunity to return to the true spirit of partnership and mutual respect that is needed to underpin the gains

of the good friday agreement." meanwhile, in moscow, the news has received somewhat of a welcome. president putin's spokesman dmitry peskov said mrjohnson "really does not like us, and we do not like him either". he said he hoped "more professional people" who could "make decisions through dialogue" would take over in london. however, the prime minister's departure was greeted somewhat more sombrely in ukraine, with president zelensky thanking him for his support during the war. borisjohnson boris johnson and the borisjohnson and the british government have been some of the strongest supporters of the ukrainian because throughout the war and supplying lots of weapons, amongst other things. for more on the ukrainian reaction, i'mjoined now by alexander rodnyansky, adviser to president zelensky. thank you very much for being with us. i gather the two men have spoken

today, what are your thoughts about the departure of borisjohnson? there's two things to say here. first of all, we believe that our partnership with the uk will be very close, and the support the uk has shown will remain and has been incredible, no matter who is prime minister or which party governs. as the president said earlier in the day, as long as the relationship is stable, we look forward to working with whatever government the british people choose. however, boris johnson was very personally and emotionally leveled democrat involved in this war against russian aggression, and we are very grateful for that. aggression, and we are very grateful forthat. he aggression, and we are very grateful for that. he had come here to appear several times even when he didn't that's we didn't expect. he spoke of the population and that is something we obviously value and recognise. in that sense, there is a bit of

sadness, and it is a regretful situation. it sadness, and it is a regretful situation-— sadness, and it is a regretful situation. , ., ., situation. it did seem to him almost a ersonal situation. it did seem to him almost a personal cause. _ situation. it did seem to him almost a personal cause. and _ situation. it did seem to him almost a personal cause. and for _ situation. it did seem to him almost a personal cause. and for you, - situation. it did seem to him almost a personal cause. and for you, of. a personal cause. and for you, of course, that is important, i hear what you say about how any other parameter will be the same — but what's important to you is the supply of weapons, and britain has been a very generous supplier of weapons, and you need that to either continue or increase?— continue or increase? absolutely, we ho -e it will continue or increase? absolutely, we hope it will continue _ continue or increase? absolutely, we hope it will continue no _ continue or increase? absolutely, we hope it will continue no matter - continue or increase? absolutely, we hope it will continue no matter who l hope it will continue no matter who is in power. but another danger we see here, and you'vejust is in power. but another danger we see here, and you've just alluded to, is the fact that the russian democrat russians want to exploit this situation, the fact that the british government is distracted and there's all this reshuffling going around and politics playing about, russia will seize on this opportunity to attack ukraine further, may be destabilised the uk somehow. that is the risk we are

seeing. somehow. that is the risk we are seeina. ~ . , somehow. that is the risk we are seeina.~ ., , ., , somehow. that is the risk we are seeina.~ . , ., , ., seeing. what is your latest view on the war, seeing. what is your latest view on the war. in — seeing. what is your latest view on the war, in terms _ seeing. what is your latest view on the war, in terms of— seeing. what is your latest view on the war, in terms of clearly - seeing. what is your latest view on the war, in terms of clearly the - the war, in terms of clearly the russians have made progress in the east? we are seeing that day after day — do you still believe, and i know you've said it throughout, that this is a war you can win? absolutely, we will win in the long war unjust because the russian regime is the type of autocratic regime is the type of autocratic regime that does not survive, is not sustainable, cannot be passed on from generation to generation. these regimes do fall eventually, the question is when and under what circumstances? we believe we will win in the long run, wejust need a lot more support. we aren't fighting the taliban, this is not a war against some terrorist group, this is a war against the russian army, or ghibli one of the most powerful armies in the world despite the blunders. we will not 10—20 artillery systems —— need not 10—20

artillery systems —— need not 10—20 artillery systems, but more than that. . ~ artillery systems, but more than that. ., ~ , ., artillery systems, but more than that. ., ~' , ., , artillery systems, but more than that. ., ~ , . artillery systems, but more than that. . ~ , . ., that. thank you very much for giving the ukrainian _ that. thank you very much for giving the ukrainian government's - that. thank you very much for giving the ukrainian government's position | the ukrainian government's position on what has happened here today. we will speak also to the mp matt hancock, who served as health secretary under borisjohnson throughout the dark days of the pandemic until lastjune. thank you for being with us. what are your thoughts on the statement we heard from borisjohnson today cancelo i thought it was a dignified statement. i'm sad he's had to go. unfortunately, borisjohnson lost the confidence of the parliamentary party and his cabinet. as you say, he and i served very closely together, getting the country through the pandemic on that vaccination programme, for instance, which was the first one in the world and the fastest roll—out in the

world as he's very enthusiastic about saying, and rightly so. for me, it's a sad day that he's had to leave. what matters now is making sure we have the right approach and ideas for the next prime minister, making sure we have somebody who has a very broad appeal that could reach out beyond traditional conservative voters and the north and the south, and scotland and wales, england and northern ireland. there must be a broad church of people who voted conservative before, people who haven't voted conservative before, and spend the next few years really delivering on an agenda which is actually got quite a lot of support, some pretty broad support in the party. some pretty broad support in the .a _ . , some pretty broad support in the .a ,. , , ., some pretty broad support in the party. why should any voter ever trust this party — party. why should any voter ever trust this party of _ party. why should any voter ever trust this party of yours - party. why should any voter ever trust this party of yours again? i party. why should any voter ever i trust this party of yours again? you as a government set these covid restriction rules, the prime minister broke them, you broke them. i think that actually it's about delivery, about making sure we have

the right agenda... it’s delivery, about making sure we have the right agenda. . .— the right agenda... it's about stickin: the right agenda... it's about sticking to — the right agenda... it's about sticking to the _ the right agenda... it's about sticking to the rules - the right agenda... it's about sticking to the rules that - the right agenda... it's about sticking to the rules that you | the right agenda... it's about - sticking to the rules that you made. i resigned, and now so too has the prime minister. what matters is about delivering for people and what are very difficult times. there are big challenges facing the country, and we need a new prime minister with a credible track record who is serious and can unite people. i think the agenda, in terms of making sure we tackle the cost—of—living problems like with the tax cut that came through yesterday, for instance, and make sure that we can appeal beyond traditional conservative voters. i think that agenda has got widespread support, we need to make sure that whoever is the next prime minister, it is someone who supports that broad approach. bhd someone who supports that broad a- roach. �* i. someone who supports that broad a--roach. �* ~' someone who supports that broad a--roach. �* ~ ., approach. and you think that your breach of the _ approach. and you think that your breach of the covid _ approach. and you think that your breach of the covid restrictions i approach. and you think that your. breach of the covid restrictions and

the scandal over you and your resignation, did that play a part in the downfall of borisjohnson in the long term, do you think? that the downfall of boris johnson in the long term, do you think?— long term, do you think? that was more than — long term, do you think? that was more than a _ long term, do you think? that was more than a year _ long term, do you think? that was more than a year ago, _ long term, do you think? that was more than a year ago, the - long term, do you think? that was more than a year ago, the prime l more than a year ago, the prime ministers since then continued to deliver things like the booster programme. i wouldn't link the two. i think what matters is now, the future and the agenda that sat in terms of the next prime minister and what they stand for, not just who they are. what they stand for, not 'ust who the are. ., , ., , they are. you said it should be someone _ they are. you said it should be someone with _ they are. you said it should be someone with a _ they are. you said it should be someone with a credible - they are. you said it should be someone with a credible track| they are. you said it should be - someone with a credible track record — are you going to stand for the leadership? i - are you going to stand for the leadership?— leadership? iwon't, but i care very deel leadership? iwon't, but i care very deeply about _ leadership? iwon't, but i care very deeply about what _ leadership? iwon't, but i care very deeply about what the _ leadership? iwon't, but i care very deeply about what the next - leadership? iwon't, but i care very deeply about what the next prime l deeply about what the next prime minister stands for, and that's why i'm making the case and talking about it, because i think it's really important that we get that right. it's very easy in the westminster discussion to get straight to the who should it be, and i know that lots of people are thinking about standing. but it

really has to start with the what, you know, what are we looking for chris mike we are looking for somebody with broad appeal who can reach outside traditional conservative voters and the base. and ijust think it's really important that when we have this debate over the days, weeks, months ahead that it is really focused on what we need to do to deliver for people we serve, notjust an internal discussion within the conservative party.— internal discussion within the conservative party. matt hancock, thank ou conservative party. matt hancock, thank you very _ conservative party. matt hancock, thank you very much _ conservative party. matt hancock, thank you very much indeed - conservative party. matt hancock, thank you very much indeed for i thank you very much indeed for talking to us.— thank you very much indeed for talkin: to us. ., ., ., talking to us. thanks for having me. thanks for your _ talking to us. thanks for having me. thanks for your thoughts _ talking to us. thanks for having me. thanks for your thoughts on - talking to us. thanks for having me. thanks for your thoughts on what i talking to us. thanks for having me. | thanks for your thoughts on what has been a very dramatic day here in downing street. it was just around 12:30pm that borisjohnson came out the very famous tour of number 10 downing street where he announced he is resigning, but staying at his prime

minister in the time being. there is the election process to come up with his successor, wherever he or she may be. that means he could still be here as prime minister conceivably until september. you're watching bbc news. this is bbc news, it's five o'clock and i am ben brown in downing street. borisjohnson resigns as the leader of the conservative party. in a statement outside downing street he said he was proud of his achievements but he's bowing to pressure to go. 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. but as we have seen at westminster, the herd instinct is powerful and when the herd moves, it moves. and my friends, in politics, no one is remotely indispensable. his announcement came

after more senior resignations from the government and declarations of no confidence came from his mps. but former prime minister sirjohn major, warns it would be 'unwise' for borisjohnson to remain in power while a new successor is chosen. borisjohnson has boris johnson has appointed borisjohnson has appointed a new cabinet. it met here this afternoon but the labour leader sir keir starmer says he must step down immediately or he will try to bring a vote of no confidence in parliament. he needs to go completely — none of this nonsense about clinging on for a few months. he's inflicted lies, fraud and chaos in the country. the names of those planning to stand in a leadership contest are beginning to emerge. but the deputy prime minister dominic raab says he won't be in the running.

good afternoon from downing street, what a it has been here come a day of real political drama. just a few hours ago borisjohnson came out of number 10 and told the waiting press and journalists he was resigning as tory party leader. in a statement that was watched by his family and by number 10 staff, he admitted that it is clearly now they wil lutz conservative mps that he stand down and he said i want you to know that from now until my successor is in place, your interests will be served and the government of the country will be carried on. there has been a clamour of response both here in the uk and around the world to that news. among those reacting, ukraine's president volodymyr zelensky, who has thanked mrjohnson

for what he called decisive and uncompromising support through the war with russia. so let's take you through the events of the day. he plans to stay in downing street until a new tory leader has been elected to replace him as prime minister. that might not be until september. and the timetable for the process to choose a new pm will be announced next week. and shortly before mrjohnson took to the podium to make his statement, he began appointing a cabinet to serve until that new leader is in place. that cabinet met this afternoon at three o'clock and he told them that it is not for me to do a major change of direction, in his remaining time of office. in other words that government and cabinet will be treading water. many names from within the party have been mentioned as possible contenders for the topjob. the best job the bestjob in the world as mr johnson called it. but this afternoon the deputy prime

minister, dominic raab, confirmed he will not stand to be conservative leader. there is pressure on mrjohnson to leave now, rather than wait until a new leader is chosen. and from the opposition, sir keir starmer has urged the prime minister not to "cling on". and former prime minister sirjohn major has written to the chairman of the tory 1922 committee to warn... he suggested either an interim premier or a streamlined election process would be "in the national interest". and within his own party there has been support for his decision, with foreign secretary liz truss saying: so, shortly after 12:30 this afternoon, borisjohnson walked out of the door of number 10

to confirm he will resign as conservative party leader. let's listen to that historic statement this lunchtime. in 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 have such a vast mandate and when we're actually only a handful of points behind in the polls, even in mid—term after quite a few months of pretty relentless sledging, and when the economic scene is so difficult domestically and internationally. i regret not to have been successful in those arguments and of course it is painful not to be able to see through so many ideas and projects myself. but as we have seen at westminster, the herd instinct is powerful and when the herd moves, it moves. and my friends, 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, notjust helping families to get through it, but 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 new leader, i say, whoever he or she may be, i say i will give you as much support as i can. and to you, the british public, i know that there will be many people who are relieved and perhaps quite a few who will also be disappointed, and i want you to know how sad i am to be giving up the bestjob in the world. but them's the breaks. them's the breaks was the colloquial phrase that borisjohnson used to

conclude that statement. the endgame really for him began earlier this week, when the former health secretary sajid javid and the former chancellor rishi sunak both resigned within a couple of minutes of each other. that opened the floodgates. since then, a succession of ministers and aides have pulled their support — including, in a devasting blow, nadhim zahawi, who this morning withdrew his support for the prime ministerjust two days after being made chancellor. jonathan blake has the story of this dramatic morning. downing street often draws a crowd, but this morning real drama was about to unfold. the prime minister clung on overnight after cabinet colleagues had told him his time was up and first thing there was silence from borisjohnson and his staff. turning up for work amid the turmoil, a last—ditch pledge of loyalty from one minister. the prime minister has my support. the former chancellor off somewhere in a hurry. are you going to make a bid

for the leadership, sir? i another senior minister staying in post, but urging the prime minister to go. the facts are undeniable, he can't command the confidence of people, sufficient numbers of people, to serve in his government, he can't engender the support of the parliamentary party and that is why it is so regrettable for us today, it's incredibly sad, for us to reach the conclusion that he sadly must stand down. the resignations kept coming, including those only appointed two days ago. education secretary michelle donelan said with great sadness she had to step down and chancellor nadhim zahawi telling boris johnson, "go now". then the news that borisjohnson had accepted his fate. just through from my colleague, chris mason our political editor, | that the expectation is now that j boris johnson will resign today. j

relief from his mps, and a warning to go quickly. what has happened is ministers have seen what they have referred to as a lack of honesty and integrity and we clearly can't have that. it's much better the pm goes now than dragging on to the privileges committee for potentially finding he knowingly misled the house. because that would have been a disaster too. in the commons, questions from conservatives about exactly what happens now. might it not be in everybody's interest to speed up the transition as much as possible? it will not be not tenable for him to continue as a caretaker- if he cannot fill the ministerial appointments he needs to. i the governance of this country cannot be allowed to fail. borisjohnson's opponents say he cannot continue in any form. 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 is not functioning in the middle of a cost of living crisis.

the chaos and complete lack of integrity that has characterised borisjohnson's premiership has in the last few days descended into complete and utter farce at a time when people in every part of the uk are really struggling with very real challenges. as preparations for a statement from borisjohnson were made, he was filling the big gaps in government left by so many resignations. and then the moment he had fought to resist had come. 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. and i have agreed with sir graham brady, the chairman of our backbench mps, that the process of choosing that new leader should begin now. he thanked conservative voters, admitted nobody was indispensable, and ended with a message of hope. i know that even if things can sometimes seem dark now,

our future together is golden. thank you all very much. thank you. jonathan blake, bbc news. boris johnson's borisjohnson's historic boris johnson's historic statement here in downing street. let's take a quick look at how borisjohnson's successor will be chosen. that process of selecting a new conservative leader effectively begins now and the timetable will be decided by the leadership of the 1922 committee of backbench conservative mps. the rules — as they stand today — is that any candidate needs the support of eight conservative mps to take part. there follows a series of votes to leave just two candidates. anyone who doesn't get the backing of at least 18 mps in the first round is eliminated. after that, all members of the conservative party across the country — notjust mps — will decide the winner. so effectively they choose between

those last two candidates. let's speak now with conservative mp for lichfield michael fabricant. good to have you with us, who do you want to be the next leader? that good to have you with us, who do you want to be the next leader?— want to be the next leader? that is the question- _ want to be the next leader? that is the question- i _ want to be the next leader? that is the question. i have _ want to be the next leader? that is the question. i have made - want to be the next leader? that is the question. i have made contactl the question. i have made contact with one person so far, i won't say who it is, and i will be asking that person whether they are interested in standing. at the moment i will keep my eyes and ears open and make a decision may be once we have heard a decision may be once we have heard a bit more. i heard you talk about how the procedure would work. i think we're going to have hustings as so questions can asked and then i will make a final decision. idols? as so questions can asked and then i will make a final decision.— will make a final decision. now you were one of — will make a final decision. now you were one of the _ will make a final decision. now you were one of the loyalists, - will make a final decision. now you were one of the loyalists, if- will make a final decision. now you were one of the loyalists, if i i will make a final decision. now you were one of the loyalists, if i can i were one of the loyalists, if i can roll it out, tory mps for boris johnson. when he came out and said he was stepping down as leader of the party aware you are sad, disappointed, did you want him to stay on? i

disappointed, did you want him to sta on? . , disappointed, did you want him to sta on? .,, ., ., disappointed, did you want him to sta on? ., ., stay on? i was sad that it had come to this but — stay on? i was sad that it had come to this but if _ stay on? i was sad that it had come to this but if i — stay on? i was sad that it had come to this but if i am _ stay on? i was sad that it had come to this but if i am honest _ stay on? i was sad that it had come to this but if i am honest with i stay on? i was sad that it had come to this but if i am honest with you, | to this but if i am honest with you, i think that by today, i was relieved, because i was concerned that if he hadn't stood down then there would have been a clash which would have been ongoing and i think it had got to be pretty untenable. but i'm very, very sad it's got to this stage and i'm not altogether sure that it needed to have got to this stage. sure that it needed to have got to this stare. ~ ., ., , this stage. well it got to this sta . e this stage. well it got to this stage because _ this stage. well it got to this stage because of _ this stage. well it got to this stage because of his - this stage. well it got to this i stage because of his character, that's what a lot of your colleagues have been saying. his character flaws as a prime minister, notjust the partygate saga and scandal but recently the whole scandal with chris pincher as well and all the mixed messages that were coming out of downing street throughout that, so that nobody in the country at large could really trust what was being said by downing street or the prime minister. that is a pretty damning indictment, isn't it, of the

prime minister?— prime minister? well, that is one assessment _ prime minister? well, that is one assessment and _ prime minister? well, that is one assessment and i _ prime minister? well, that is one assessment and i certainly i prime minister? well, that is one assessment and i certainly accept most of what you say. but the other side, which attracted me, was the boldness with which he approached problems. the way we got brexit done. remember, we had prorogation at one stage and then a general election. the way we actually did achieve it, the way we went ahead and got ourselves a covid vaccine programme that was months ahead of anything that europe produced, despite all the experts, including of course keir starmer saying you have to go with the european programme, how can britain go it alone? we did go it alone and we were alone forfour alone? we did go it alone and we were alone for four months before any other country actually got around to having the same vaccine programme that we did. fight! around to having the same vaccine programme that we did. and also... some of those. .. _ programme that we did. and also... some of those. .. just _ programme that we did. and also... some of those. .. just a _ programme that we did. and also... some of those. .. just a second. i some of those. .. just a second. also, some of those. .. just a second. also. being _ some of those. .. just a second. also, being the _ some of those. .. just a second. also, being the first _ some of those. .. just a second. also, being the first country i some of those. .. just a second. also, being the first country to l some of those. .. just a second. i also, being the first country to get in there with ukraine months before supplying them with arms months

before the invasion actually took place. before the invasion actually took lace. , ., before the invasion actually took lace. ., before the invasion actually took lace, ., ., before the invasion actually took lace. ,., ,, . ., ., place. ok, so you are trotting out the government's _ place. ok, so you are trotting out the government's achievements l place. ok, so you are trotting out. the government's achievements as place. ok, so you are trotting out i the government's achievements as you see them, as the prime minister has seen them. �* see them, as the prime minister has seen them-— seen them. don't you feel that way? i am here to — seen them. don't you feel that way? i am here to ask— seen them. don't you feel that way? i am here to ask you _ seen them. don't you feel that way? i am here to ask you the _ seen them. don't you feel that way? i am here to ask you the questions, | i am here to ask you the questions, you are not here to ask me the questions and you know that very well, michael fabricant. but it is a question of integrity and honesty and that is where borisjohnson's premiership has fallen down? that and that is where boris johnson's premiership has fallen down? that is the perception _ premiership has fallen down? that is the perception of— premiership has fallen down? that is the perception of it _ premiership has fallen down? that is the perception of it anyway. - premiership has fallen down? that is the perception of it anyway. there i the perception of it anyway. there has been a long narrative about boris and honesty and all the rest of it. i like him because at the end of it. i like him because at the end of the day, i think he got the big decisions right for this country. one thing he is not and that is a details man. but do we want a details man. but do we want a details man. but do we want a details man to be a prime minister? i'm not sure we do. i think we need to get someone who, yes, has may be a stronger team around him to make sure that he gets the details

correct but has the boldness of ideas so that britain can go in a direction that i would like to see. and just in terms, michael fabricant, of the next few weeks, the summer, really. borisjohnson is kind of indicating he will stay in number 10 as prime minister through the summer, may be until september, may be until the tory party conference in october. can that really be right?— conference in october. can that really be right? well, what he has actually said _ really be right? well, what he has actually said as _ really be right? well, what he has actually said as he _ really be right? well, what he has actually said as he will _ really be right? well, what he has actually said as he will stay i really be right? well, what he has actually said as he will stay there, or this is what he would like to do, stay there until a new prime minister is appointed. now it is quite interesting, isn't it, that john major has come up with a proposal to say, well, maybe the rules should be changed and it should be the mps who choose the successor tojohn major and not involve, because that is the thing that takes the time, i mean i'm not sure i would go with this simply because it's not very democratic, but not involve the membership of the conservative party as a whole,

because of that is what causes the delay. it's worth actually analysing the time schedule. we've got after this week just two weeks the time schedule. we've got after this weekjust two weeks before the house of commons goes into recess. then we are into the end ofjuly and then august, when a lot of our association, our party members will be away on holiday and the plan i would have thought would be to get a pm in place in september because then when we go into recess again for the conference, and of course the party conference at the beginning of october, the conservative party conference will be in birmingham, and we certainly don't want to be in a situation by then where we don't have a prime minister and a cabinet to go with it. so we do need to do it quickly. michael fabricant, very grateful to you for your time as ever. our political correspondent jonathan blake is at parliament. just picking up on some of what michael fabricant was saying he wants to get on with it quickly was

that i am sure the party does but realistically, can that happen or is borisjohnson effectively going to stay in number 10 until september, october? iie stay in number10 until september, october? . . , stay in number10 until september, october? . ., , ., , ., , october? he clearly wants to stay there for the _ october? he clearly wants to stay there for the time _ october? he clearly wants to stay there for the time being. - october? he clearly wants to stay there for the time being. i i october? he clearly wants to stay there for the time being. i think l october? he clearly wants to stay. there for the time being. i think on all sides of this debate that is playing out now about whether boris johnson should stay on in a caretaker capacity or quit and hand over to someone else while a new leader is chosen there is a desire for this not to take any longer than it absolutely needs to. but the question is not settled yet and the timetable is not set. that will probably be done at the beginning of next week but there are some pretty powerful, pretty vocal voices coming forward and saying that for the good of the country, boris johnson forward and saying that for the good of the country, borisjohnson needs to go and go now. not least before the conservative prime minister sir john major who has never been a fan of borisjohnson, we should say at this point. but as far as what is said two cabinet ministers when they met this afternoon, it suggests he does not have any intention of

handing over to anybody else in the interim. he told them that it was theirjob to deliver on what was already agreed by the government. he said they wouldn't be any new policies put in place and there wouldn't be browbeaten by number 10 into doing things but he did urge them to think of the voters, we are told, and he said also that they had no excuse not to keep their foot on the pedal. so suggesting that even in this slight limbo period now after borisjohnson has announced that he will stand down as conservative leader, triggering a leadership contest and a new leader being chosen, the business of government, of course, has to go on. jonathan, let's talk about the runners and riders, who is in the frame to be the next possible tory leader, the next prime minister. we are hearing in the last few moments michael gove is saying he won't be standing, what you make of that? in

an earlier leadership election a few years ago he was seen to have stabbed borisjohnson in the back by saying that he wasn't really fit to be leader. , ., ., ., be leader. yes, the two men have an extraordinary — be leader. yes, the two men have an extraordinary history _ be leader. yes, the two men have an extraordinary history which _ be leader. yes, the two men have an extraordinary history which bubbled l extraordinary history which bubbled up extraordinary history which bubbled up to the surface last night when borisjohnson sacked his now former housing and levelling up secretary michael gove. we had him described to us as a snake by one of boris johnson's allies in downing street. but of course, as you say, in 2016, michael gove was supporting boris johnson for the conservative leadership after david cameron stood down. he then withdrew his support and launched his own leadership bid, scuppering mrjohnson's chances. but he was brought back into the fold by borisjohnson he was brought back into the fold by boris johnson recently and he was brought back into the fold by borisjohnson recently and has been a key member of this government and somebody who is regarded as a shrewd political operator and a very capable cabinet minister across the party. but he did run in 2019, he is not going to run this time and i don't think that's too much of a

surprise. he has had a couple of goes at it and he said not that long ago i can remember an exchange of the house of commons where he said something along the lines of, been there, done that and got the t—shirt and he had no intention of doing it again. so the field is narrowing slightly but it is still a pretty broad slate of possible candidates for the leadership race because of course there is no one clear contender to take over from boris johnson. the leading candidate would have until relatively recently he have until relatively recently be seen as rishi sunak, the former chancellor, but he ran into difficulty over his wife's tax affairs. he was fined in the partygate saga so somewhat tainted by doubt that he has not ruled himself out and he could still run, and if he does, he would be a key candidate in that race. we are waiting to hear from candidate in that race. we are waiting to hearfrom penny mordaunt, the trade minister, who a lot of people would like to see in this race and would like to support for the leadership. tom tugendhat, allies of his have said you can expect him to run. a keen

backbencher, influential voice in the party, pretty much the antithesis to borisjohnson as a leader in terms of his style and substance as a politician. so the race has not officially started yet but it won't be long before candidates officially start declaring themselves. jonathan, thank ou declaring themselves. jonathan, thank you very _ declaring themselves. jonathan, thank you very much _ declaring themselves. jonathan, thank you very much indeed. i declaring themselves. jonathan, j thank you very much indeed. we declaring themselves. jonathan, i thank you very much indeed. we can get some reaction now from john whittingdale, the former conservative minister, who i think canjoin us. yes, he can. we were just hearing, john whittingdale, it is quite an open field, an open race potentially at the moment. which horse are you going to be back in? i'm still not clear exactly who is running and who is not running. before i decide, i will want to firstly talk to the candidates and hear what their vision is for the future direction of the party. i will also want to talk to my constituents and my members. so i am certainly not going to make up my mind yet. we

certainly not going to make up my mind et. ~ ., ., , ., ., certainly not going to make up my mind et. ., ., ., ., mind yet. we are in a situation now where we have _ mind yet. we are in a situation now where we have a _ mind yet. we are in a situation now where we have a kind _ mind yet. we are in a situation now where we have a kind of _ mind yet. we are in a situation now where we have a kind of caretaker i where we have a kind of caretaker prime minister, a caretaker cabinet. we have lots and lots of ministerial positions that are unfilled. we have a kind of government that is paralysed, really, at a time of a huge cost of living crisis. your party, the conservative party, has failed the country.— failed the country. well, the -rocess failed the country. well, the process of — failed the country. well, the process of government i failed the country. well, the process of government has l failed the country. well, the l process of government has to failed the country. well, the i process of government has to go on and actually, on those big issues, i think the direction of the government and the policies being implemented are correct. i am sad that borisjohnson decided to resign although i think it was the right decision, given the loss of confidence that had taken place. but on the major issues like the russian war against on the major issues like the russian waragainst ukraine, like on the major issues like the russian war against ukraine, like the cost of living crisis, i think the government's policies are right and i am confident that the government will continue to take those right decisions to support people through what are undoubtedly significant

challenges. what are undoubtedly significant challenues. ~ ~ , ., challenges. well, we keep hearing that, the challenges. well, we keep hearing that. the major— challenges. well, we keep hearing that, the major issues, _ challenges. well, we keep hearing that, the major issues, the i that, the major issues, the government has got things right but surely things like integrity and honesty are pretty important, too. the public had seen again and again that there is not that a number 10 downing street and there hasn't been. ~ ., ., downing street and there hasn't been. . ., ., ., ~' , downing street and there hasn't been. ~ ., ., ., ~ , , been. well, i mean that frankly is the reason _ been. well, i mean that frankly is the reason why _ been. well, i mean that frankly is the reason why a _ been. well, i mean that frankly is the reason why a large _ been. well, i mean that frankly is the reason why a large number. been. well, i mean that frankly is the reason why a large number ofi been. well, i mean that frankly is i the reason why a large number of mps and ministers clearly felt that the damage done by that feeling of a loss of integrity was so great for the prime minister to stand down and the prime minister to stand down and the prime minister has accepted that i'm done so. but the prime minister has accepted that i'm done so-— i'm done so. but you are the party that elected _ i'm done so. but you are the party that elected him _ i'm done so. but you are the party that elected him and _ i'm done so. but you are the party that elected him and you - i'm done so. but you are the party that elected him and you elected i i'm done so. but you are the party i that elected him and you elected him despite warnings from michael gove amongst other people about his character flaws.— amongst other people about his character flaws. ., ., ~ 1, _ ., ,., character flaws. look, boris johnson led the conservative _ character flaws. look, boris johnson led the conservative party _ character flaws. look, boris johnson led the conservative party to i character flaws. look, boris johnson led the conservative party to the i led the conservative party to the biggest victory we have had in recent years. he delivered on the pledges he had given, particularly to deliver brexit and, actually, i think he's been very strong in terms of things like standing alongside

ukraine. i have along of things like standing alongside ukraine. i have a long involvement with ukraine and i know the people, i met eight ukrainian mps this afternoon is that they are very concerned his departure might lead to a weakening of uk support. i have assured them that that is not the case and that the uk remains strong supporters. but on those kinds of big issues, ithink supporters. but on those kinds of big issues, i think his leadership has been generally in the right direction, he has taken the right decisions, but for other reasons he has had to step down. but decisions, but for other reasons he has had to step down.— has had to step down. but it's an extraordinary _ has had to step down. but it's an extraordinary state _ has had to step down. but it's an extraordinary state of _ has had to step down. but it's an extraordinary state of affairs i has had to step down. but it's anj extraordinary state of affairs that he was elected, your party was elected with an 80 seat majority just two and half years ago and here he is, going from office after a whole series of scandals. chris pincher recently, but before that the partygate allegations and other things before that. how has it come to this, do you think?— to this, do you think? well, you are riaht, to this, do you think? well, you are right. there — to this, do you think? well, you are right, there have _ to this, do you think? well, you are right, there have been _ to this, do you think? well, you are right, there have been a _ to this, do you think? well, you are

right, there have been a succession| right, there have been a succession of events and they have had the effect of eroding confidence in the prime minister personally. i have seen that reflected in my postbag, as has every mp, and it led to a no—confidence vote a few weeks ago and since that time obviously more mps have reached the conclusion that we needed to have a change of leadership. so it has been a gradual process but this is... politics is a brutal business in some ways. i was with margaret thatcher when she walked out of number 10 downing street, having lost the confidence of her mps then. the same thing happened to theresa may. the conservative party will support their leaders as long as they think that they are the right person but if that changes, then things can happen very quickly, as has been the case with borisjohnson. but happen very quickly, as has been the case with boris johnson.— case with boris johnson. but he wanted to _ case with boris johnson. but he wanted to stay _ case with boris johnson. but he wanted to stay on, _ case with boris johnson. but he wanted to stay on, didn't i case with boris johnson. but he wanted to stay on, didn't he, i wanted to stay on, didn't he, despite so many people coming to tell him the time was up. even now he wants to cling on as this

caretaker prime minister possibly until september or october. i think that is a different _ until september or october. i think that is a different issue. _ until september or october. i think that is a different issue. he - until september or october. i think that is a different issue. he has i that is a different issue. he has made clear that he accepts he has to stand down but we will choose a new leader. that is a process that takes a little time. but if you look up the presidents of this, and i point out david cameron and theresa may, they have continued until the new leader is chosen. it is very difficult to have an alternative, since a large number of the potential candidates are themselves running. i don't think you can have an interim prime minister who is also a candidate afterwards. so borisjohnson has told the cabinet there will be no major changes in policy or direction until the new leader is elected and the continuity that seems to be right. johh that seems to be right. john whittingdale, _ that seems to be right. john whittingdale, very - that seems to be right. john whittingdale, very grateful to you for your time. thank you for being with us on bbc news this evening. both the secretary of state for wales and northern ireland had resigned from the cabinet and were calling for

the prime minister to go — in a moment we'll be hearing from our correspondents in belfast and cardiff but first, let's go to james shaw in glasgow, where the first minister nicola sturgeon has said "it was a relief that the chaos of the last few days has come to and end". it's no secret borisjohnson has never been as popular in scotland as he is in some other parts of the country. when nicola sturgeon said she thought there would be widespread relief that he was going to go, i think perhaps she was reflecting what will be a common, not a universal, but a common view in scotland. but she did also say that she thought it would be an untenable proposition, i think those were the words that she used, for borisjohnson to carry on as a caretaker prime minister for any extended period of time because that would mean what she called the complete farce of the last couple of days might continue. perhaps what was interesting is that douglas ross, the leader of the conservatives in scotland, to some extent, echoed that. he thought that borisjohnson should not stay over an extended period,

that some other figure should be put in place. but when you come to alisterjack, the scottish secretary, so he's the representative of the uk cabinet in scotland, he has been fiercely loyal to borisjohnson, unlike the secretaries of state in northern ireland and wales, sticking with him right until the end, describing him as a friend and saying how sad he is that borisjohnson is going. but it leaves open that question of what will happen with independence. willa new prime minister take a different view on nicola sturgeon's intention to have a referendum next year? well, here in northern ireland, it's fair to say that the vast majority of politicians, be they unionist, nationalist or neither, held borisjohnson in low esteem. but what people are now asking is what the change in downing street will mean for the very future of devolution in this part of the uk. there hasn't been a fully functioning devolved government

here at stormont since february, when the democratic unionist party in effect collapsed the power—sharing executive over the brexit trading arrangements, known as the northern ireland protocol. that was agreed between boris johnson's government and the eu, which in effect creates a trade border between northern ireland, and england, scotland and wales. so goods when they arrive here from great britain are checked to see if they are in line with eu standards. unionists regard that as an internal trade border within the uk and therefore unacceptable. the government is stealing legislation to parliament that would give ministers the power to scrap large parts of that protocol and the question is will the new prime minister take a more moderate line on the protocol? critics argue that the legislation breaks international law, oral deeney resident of number ten maintain or even harden boris johnson's position? that could affect relations with dublin and

with other eu states and with non—unionist parties here. a softer stance would leave the dup even more reluctant to resurrect power—sharing in the assembly behind me so one way or another it doesn't feel as if the crisis in westminster has made the crisis in westminster has made the crisis at stormont any easier to handle. labour's mark drakeford the uk needed a stable government so this was the right thing to do. it has also been welcomed by those conservatives, at least there is willing to speak to members of the press. it has been a very fast turnover, less than 2a hours. the well secretary simon hart was seen until late last night as a boris johnson loyalist but he triggered a second wave of cabinet resignations last night and has been replaced this morning by robert buckland, who was sacked by borisjohnson is just a secretary last year, back in the cabinet now as well secretary. he

was born in wales and worked in wales as a lawyer but he's not a welsh mp. ordinarily that might ruffle some feathers but people maybe see him as a caretaker in that position. the leader of the welsh conservatives, andrew rt davies, has been praising his legacy. part of that was in the 2019 general election winning seats like wrexham and bridgend, taking them from labour. so whoever eventually takes over from labour. so whoever eventually takes overfrom boris labour. so whoever eventually takes over from borisjohnson, labour. so whoever eventually takes overfrom borisjohnson, the over from boris johnson, the question overfrom borisjohnson, the question will be, will they have the same appeal? candy bieule to roast traditionally labour voters whenever that next general election occurs? —— can they appeal to welsh, traditionally labour voters. the prime minister's landslide victory in 2019 would not have been possible without support from the so—called true blue tory heartlands.

chichester in west sussex is one such place — voters there have picked a conservative mp at every election since 192a — most recently, gillian keegan, who won her seat in 2017. our correspondent duncan kennedy has been gauging the mood of voters there. thank god something's happening and he's going. he's resigned? yes. oh, no. in chichester, borisjohnson's resignation has brought jubilation and consternation. it's one of the conservatives' safest seats but today even some of his supporters are clear — this political affair is over. your verdict? well, i never wanted him in in the first place because i thought he was always economical with the truth, i think, and it has proved to be the case, hasn't it? what's your view? i think it's time to go, really, isn't it? he tried to hang on, but... yeah, not much to say, really, has to be done. are you a conservative? yes, i am. thank you. melanie luckes runs a bistro cafe here and is finding

the cost of living crisis is affecting her business. this she's always voted conservative and has been a supporter of the prime minister. what's your reaction to borisjohnson's resignation? i think it's a great shame. i think he's a very clever man. i think he's tripped himself up and it's a shame. i think he could've gone out on a much better note. but others here say borisjohnson should have gone a longtime ago. clear—cut for you? oh, totally, yes. definitely, yes. i think he's let the party down. he's done a lot of. damage to the party. and i don't know how embarrassed| the conservative ministers must be of their constituencies. the conservatives have a 2a,000 majority here, but this is one place where, for borisjohnson, it feels like the last tango in chichester. duncan kennedy, bbc news. let's get more reaction from around the country now.

and our correspondent fiona trott is in darlington for us. pa rt part of the red wall, or the tories won seats in 2019. what is the mood there, fiona? pa rt part of the reason that they have turned this red wall blue is because of the promise of levelling up. that is something that borisjohnson spoke about in his speech today. he said that that work must continue, but will he continue? we are hearing that he is due to stay in post for many months until a new leader is chosen. we asked people here in darlington today what they thought of that, and who they think the new leader should be. he should have gone long before now. for his various exploits, to be honest. betrayed the whole country. and he should have walked. probably when the partygate came out. at least. who should replace borisjohnson?

what would your answer be? there isn't any of them. not one. there's no one good enough to replace him. i think they're alljust the same. i didn't even know he resigned. i have just finished work, so... well, that's a bit of good news for the day, i suppose, isn't it? darlington as part of the tees valley which has seen a lot of government investment and private investment in recent years being put into job creation, investment in recent years being put intojob creation, something investment in recent years being put into job creation, something the business secretary kwasi kwarteng was talking about today when he was on teesside, a few miles away. that is something people in darlington have said they are concerned about my continuity. they say that a lot of that was achieved in the tees valley through the personal relationship between the tees valley mayor and borisjohnson himself. they are concerned about whether that relationship will continue with the new leader. there is something else, too. when you speak to people in darlington, they say the cost of living is making them weary. they

say it is really hard to engage in politics at the moment. and the thought of there being a lot of campaigning over the summer, the campaigning over the summer, the campaign for campaigning over the summer, the campaignfora new campaigning over the summer, the campaign for a new leader, they find that a distraction, a distraction from things they believe matter more to people in this part of the world, the cost of food, fuel, poverty. and so, they feel quite disenchanted with all politicians at the moment, and some of them are telling us here today that they don't feel confident that any new leader will make them feel like there will be change. thank you, fiona trott in darlington. let's get some reaction from our correspondent andrew plant — he's in cheltenham. the worry for the conservatives there is the lib dems, in particular. there is the lib dems, in particular-— there is the lib dems, in particular. there is the lib dems, in articular. ~ ., , . ., ., particular. we have been chatting to --eole all particular. we have been chatting to people all day _ particular. we have been chatting to people all day in _ particular. we have been chatting to people all day in cheltenham, i particular. we have been chatting to people all day in cheltenham, this i people all day in cheltenham, this morning and after borisjohnson's announcement at half past 12.

normally when you are chasing people with a camera asking for opinions you get met for some reluctance but not today. everybody here following the comings and goings in downing street and everybody with an opinion. fora street and everybody with an opinion. for a tory leader this is an interesting place because for decades it was reliably a lib dems seat. they won it from the conservatives in the 1992 general election and held onto it, for more than two decades, 22 years, right up until the 2015 election when the conservatives took so many seats across the uk, and they lost this seat to the conservatives. they had a majority of 6000, out of 80,000 registered voters, and since then that majority has dwindled, and in 2017 it was just 2000 and in the last general election in 2019 it had got down to 850, so this is one of the places in the uk where every single vote counts, and we will be, we have been asking people what they

are made of what has been happening in number ten over the past couple of days. i think it is time to introduce somebody who has got that credibility, because that is what is lost and the respect, and i think that is my reason behind him going, i think. i think it is definitely a good thing to give room to somebody else who can take over and command that respect. who replaces him? who else is around? basically, who is going into office? are they going to make things better for us or is itjust— a whole nightmare again? everybody needs to take a deep breath. i think that people in government need to realise that a lot of people in this country, we are not london—centric, we are not government—centric. we base our views and our votes on the people in our local area and i have to say, i am a floating voter — sometimes i am lib dem, sometimes i'm conservative.

the mp here in cheltenham of course is alex chalk, the conservative. he's a good example of one of the biggest question marks hanging over downing street right now because he resigned less than 48 hours ago, on tuesday evening and, as we know, he wasn't the only one, we've had more than 50 resignations in the last couple of days. and there are a lot of empty jobs couple of days. and there are a lot of emptyjobs in and they all need filling. the question is, will those people who resigned and said they didn't want to work in boris johnson's government then come back and help fill some of those jobs or would it be necessary for boris johnson as some people are calling for to go more suddenly or immediately so that those people will come back and help fill those jobs and therefore get again a functioning government. that is one of the questions that needs to be answered in the next few hours. thank you, and replant reporting. ——

andrew plant. we've talked about how a new leader is elected — now let's talk about who it could be, who's being talked about and what are the odds. who are the runners and riders at the moment? i appreciate that it is early days and we have not heard from everyone although some people have made clear they will not stand like dominic raab and michael gove, but to have you got on your chalkboard? it but to have you got on your chalkboard?— but to have you got on your chalkboard? , ., , , , ., , chalkboard? it is early days, but as to be expected. — chalkboard? it is early days, but as to be expected, the _ chalkboard? it is early days, but as to be expected, the markets i chalkboard? it is early days, but as to be expected, the markets at i to be expected, the markets at betfair exchange are red—hot when it comes to the next conservative leader race. we have seen significant change in the odds for ben wallace. he has been cut to 3/1 this morning, and leads the way as favourite but that is not to say that we have not seen other potential candidates back. rishi sunak is another popular one with the panthers, around 25% of all of

the panthers, around 25% of all of the money on the betfair exchange market has been for the former chancellor, he is now 5/1, penny mordaunt, another solid favourite with the panthers, 6/1, penny mordaunt. you go through the list and see some other potential candidates, jeremy hunt, further down the chalkboard, currently 18/1. he has experience in a conservative leadership race, finishing second in 2019 to borisjohnson. i wonder if he could be the steady pair of hands they could be looking for. currently jeremy hunt 18/1. iflah they could be looking for. currently jeremy hunt 18h.— they could be looking for. currently jeremy hunt 18/1. can i ask you how many people _ jeremy hunt 18/1. can i ask you how many people are — jeremy hunt 18/1. can i ask you how many people are betting _ jeremy hunt 18/1. can i ask you how many people are betting on - jeremy hunt 18/1. can i ask you how many people are betting on this i jeremy hunt 18/1. can i ask you how| many people are betting on this kind of thing? is it a big market? political markets at betfair exchange are very popular. currently we have £350,000 traded on this market. yesterday when we closed, the borisjohnson exit date market, around £2 million was traded on that. so, they are very popular

comedy odds keep changing significantly, and i anticipate that the odds for the next conservative leader will change as soon as we hearfrom more potential candidates hear from more potential candidates throwing hearfrom more potential candidates throwing their hats into the ring. sam, thank you, very good to talk to you. while we were talking to sam we had a statement from joe biden in the us president reacting to boris johnson's resignation as tory party leader and he said the united kingdom and united states are the closest of friends and allies and a special relationship between our peoples remains strong and enduring. i look forward to continuing our close cooperation with the government of the united kingdom as well as our allies and partners around the world on a range of important priorities. and that includes says joe important priorities. and that includes sastoe biden maintaining a strong and united approach to supporting the people of ukraine as they defend themselves against vladimir putin's a brutal war and

holding russia accountable for its actions. that statementjust in from the american president, joe biden, reacting to the news that boris johnson announced earlier on today just at lunchtime, to say he is stepping down as conservative party leader. and he will go as prime minister once there is a successor is elected by the tory party to replace him. chris curtis is head of political polling at opinion research, thank you for being with us. we were talking to sam from betfair about the runners and riders. any evidence you have about who might be the most popular candidate? it who might be the most popular candidate? , who might be the most popular candidate?— candidate? it is very difficult to tell ou candidate? it is very difficult to tell you will — candidate? it is very difficult to tell you will land _ candidate? it is very difficult to tell you will land best - candidate? it is very difficult to tell you will land best for- candidate? it is very difficult to | tell you will land best for public tell you will [and best for public because ultimately the only way that you can actively test how popular a prime minister is going to be is by them becoming prime minister and thatis them becoming prime minister and that is why this is such a big decision and a big risk for the

conservative party because ultimately this is probably the last chance they have got to pick the candidate who is going to go into the next election for them. if they get this wrong they are probably out of government and given the lack of electoral reform they might be out of government for some time so they conservatives will be looking around for some time thinking it has got to be important to find someone who will win the next general election. the public are looking for somebody who is going to bring a lot more calm to british politics. there has been so much chaos in recent years with brexit and everything that has come afterwards. they will look for someone to calm things down, focus on the most important issues, most notably the cost of living crisis which is having such a negative effect on so many people's day to day lives. effect on so many people's day to da lives. ., ., ., , ., . day lives. from all of the research ou have day lives. from all of the research you have done. — day lives. from all of the research you have done, to _ day lives. from all of the research you have done, to what _ day lives. from all of the research you have done, to what extent i day lives. from all of the research you have done, to what extent do | day lives. from all of the research i you have done, to what extent do you think, i agree that it could be a longtime in think, i agree that it could be a long time in the future, to think, i agree that it could be a longtime in the future, to what extent might voters punish the conservative party for what has happened here, even though boris johnson may have gone and may not be

the leader who is fighting that next election? ., , ., election? you should never underestimate _ election? you should never underestimate the - election? you should never underestimate the positive | election? you should never- underestimate the positive impact that a new leader can have on the reputation of a political party, because it gives the opportunity for that party to have a fresh start, to bring in a new face, to change the direction of the party and to mitigate against some of the brand damage previously done so the latest saga of what happened with boris johnson has damaged the conservative party brand but a new leader will give them a fresh opportunity to overcome that. the bigger question is, what is the direction they are going to send a party in for the next general election? clearly voters have priorities, fixing the nhs, the cost of living crisis, but in particular, will the new leader shadows priorities? and that is the crucial question. you shadows priorities? and that is the crucial question.— shadows priorities? and that is the crucial question. you talk about the brand damage- _ crucial question. you talk about the brand damage. when _ crucial question. you talk about the brand damage. when you _ crucial question. you talk about the brand damage. when you look i

crucial question. you talk about the brand damage. when you look back crucial question. you talk about the i brand damage. when you look back it is extraordinary to think that boris johnson was such a successful party leader, when he won that election in 2019, with an 80 seat majority. an absolute, whopping majority. and here he is about to leave downing street, we don't know exactly when but in the coming weeks, but he has resigned as tory party leader, just two and a half years later. in political history, that sort of rise and fall is extraordinary, isn't it? yes, there is a reason why we are seeing more of these crazy movements happening now and that is that the electorate is a historically volatile. it used to be the case that most people knew they were going to vote for in each general election, and would vote for the conservatives or labour but people now take a compare the market attitude, and swing between parties from election to election depending on who the leader of that party is, and that means that you can see sort of dramatic rises and falls, and we have seen that with borisjohnson

more than anyone else. ultimately a big problem for the conservatives is that there coalition was held together in 2019 by brexit, and the idea that borisjohnson got brexit done. the difficulty is that the most important issue is not brexit but the cost of living crisis and the conservative coalition on that is the more difficult to hold together because you have some who are very wealthy, others who are more economically insecure and struggling, and how do you come up with a package to help those people? chris curtis, head of political polling at opinium research. we are joined by liam fox. thank you for being with us, what are your thoughts on whether borisjohnson should be able to stay here inside number ten right through the summer, conceivably up until september or even october? that is irritating

quite a lot of your conservative backbench colleagues.- quite a lot of your conservative backbench colleagues. david cameron remained there _ backbench colleagues. david cameron remained there until— backbench colleagues. david cameron remained there until a _ backbench colleagues. david cameron remained there until a successor- backbench colleagues. david cameron remained there until a successor was| remained there until a successor was chosen, theresa may resigned —— remained until her successor was chosen so the president has been set but having said that i think we need to get a swift contest. and get the parliamentary element out of the way in the next couple of weeks, so that we are down to two candidates, which we are down to two candidates, which we can take to the country and get a result as quickly as possible. i think that the shorter the period of the interregnum, if you like, the better. ~ , , ., . ., better. will you be standing? who would ou better. will you be standing? who would you be _ better. will you be standing? who would you be supporting? - better. will you be standing? who would you be supporting? i- better. will you be standing? who would you be supporting? i think i would you be supporting? i think thatis would you be supporting? i think that is highly unlikely. i will wait and see who the candidates are. that and see who the candidates are. fit the moment we don't yet know. it seems like half the parliamentary party is trying to see if they have a viable candidacy. i think we want to get the numbers down as quickly as possible. this is a time when we

see people like michael gove, dominic raab, say that they ruled themselves out, which i think is very helpful in the process and i think other candidates who are on a vanity one should think about whether they are seriously credible candidates, to get to the final two. and to make the process easier for us. ., , ., , ., us. your party, the conservative pa , us. your party, the conservative party. have _ us. your party, the conservative party. have left _ us. your party, the conservative party, have left this _ us. your party, the conservative party, have left this country i us. your party, the conservative party, have left this country in l party, have left this country in quite a sorry state at the moment. there is kind of political chaos at the moment. yes there is a caretaker prime minister and a caretaker cabinet but the prime minister told his cabinet this afternoon that effectively is, not a lot we can do in terms of any big changes. lots of junior ministerial positions unfilled at the moment. government kind of on autopilot. do you think you will be pumped —— punished at the next election? that you will be pumped -- punished at the next election?— the next election? at the next election people _ the next election? at the next election people will _ the next election? at the next election people will decide i the next election? at the next i election people will decide between two alternatives, between what the conservatives have done up to the

period of the general election and what the alternatives would be. i think it is very important that we carry forward our policies on the return to sound money stock we need a bank of england to be cracking down on the causes of inflation as far as they can. we need to understand that there are some elements beyond our control, and we need to tell the british people about that. there are impacts of putin's bloody invasion of ukraine which will be unavoidable, and we need to be showing that we are part of an international coalition that can come up with the answers for the international partners, but we can also deal with those unique british elements, as i have often said, why is it that britain or the european currencies zone had inflation rates of 9% when nearby switzerland has an inflation rate of 2.9%? there are questions to be asked about a whole range of these things. can i

questions to be asked about a whole range of these things.— range of these things. can i 'ust ask ou, range of these things. can i 'ust ask you. liam fl range of these things. can i 'ust ask you, liam fox, i range of these things. can i 'ust ask you, liam fox, wash range of these things. can i 'ust ask you, liam fox, was it h range of these things. can i 'ust ask you, liam fox, was it a h range of these things. can i just - ask you, liam fox, was it a mistake with hindsight, for the tory party to elect borisjohnson as party leader and therefore prime minister, when you knew about his character flaws? in fact michael gove warned us of his character flaws. i flaws? in fact michael gove warned us of his character flaws.— us of his character flaws. i didn't vote for boris _ us of his character flaws. i didn't vote for boris johnson _ us of his character flaws. i didn't vote for boris johnson as - vote for borisjohnson as conservative leader. i campaigned forjeremy hunt in that election because i thought that there were problems there. but people cast their votes with the best of trust and the best of intentions. i think that we have seen perhaps less competence in the actual administration of government, and that needs to be put right by the new leader, and we also need to bring a team together. we have seen too much of people being promoted because they were supporters of borisjohnson, and the new leader will have to have a much bigger tent and be much more collegiate across

the party. the lesson for the conservative party from history is that if we want to avoid external coalitions you have to maintain an internal correlation.— coalitions you have to maintain an internal correlation. when you said that ou internal correlation. when you said that you knew— internal correlation. when you said that you knew there _ internal correlation. when you said that you knew there problems -- l that you knew there problems —— internal coalition. does that mean that you are not surprised about how this has ended the borisjohnson? i think there were elements there. borisjohnson is a great campaigner. some politicians are great campaigners. some are better administrators. if you are a great campaigner, which borisjohnson campaigner, which boris johnson proved campaigner, which borisjohnson proved himself to be in the general election, and i think you need to have a different type of government around you. and i think that there are lessons for all of us from what has happened recently, and i think that the next leader needs to have that the next leader needs to have that balance inside the government that balance inside the government that will actually complement their own strengths. i think we all have strengths and weaknesses as politicians. one of the arts of successful politics is knowing what

the weaknesses are, compensating for them by having people around you with the respective strengths that will complement you. liam with the respective strengths that will complement you.— will complement you. liam fox, crateful will complement you. liam fox, grateful to _ will complement you. liam fox, grateful to you _ will complement you. liam fox, grateful to you for _ will complement you. liam fox, grateful to you for your - will complement you. liam fox, grateful to you for your time, i will complement you. liam fox, i grateful to you for your time, thank you. we can talk to the imminent political historian, anthony selsden. an extraordinary saga here in downing street. how will this be recorded in the history books and how will boris johnson's relatively short premiership be recording a hit in the history books do you think? those things will interact. the endgame will interact with the overalljudgment on the premiership. if prime ministers like gordon brown for example in 2010 chose a very dignified exit, walking down downing street with his wife and his two sons, and decided that he was going to go rather thanjust

sons, and decided that he was going to go rather than just stay on, that won him a lot of sympathy and support, the same theresa may. the opposite is true borisjohnson because he ended up, he does have a lot of supporters still in the party and country, but he nevertheless alienated very large numbers his cabinet. he had numbers of resignations, or people saying they did not have confidence in him, which is unprecedented in the whole of prime ministerial history. and he lost the support, lost the trust. so that, clearly, the departure will clearly colour the entire way in which his premiership isjudged, and had he left earlier, hattie left after 18 months, we would be looking at a very different picture, a man who had won a landslide. they are very rare, very few prime ministers

win landslides. he did win one, with a majority of almost 80, very much personally on the back of his campaigning and character. he got the brexit done, after three years of not getting it done under his predecessor theresa may. he did steer the country through coronavirus, and the european comparison suggests the country didn't do too badly. that is all very much to his credit. back then, the weaknesses in his character and in his style as prime minister, began, progressively to impact. he lost key aides, those people who had stayed and guided him before he could keep a stable team together in downing street. that really matters for a prime minister likejohnson, for a prime minister like johnson, who for a prime minister likejohnson, who needs to have people compensating for his lack of detail, the fact that he's not all over

everything that prime ministers need to do, and progressively became weaker and weaker, he could not get the benefits of brexit evident, the northern ireland problem became more of an issue which clearly, he didn't understand, and he didn't get levelling up done at the same time and the economy was going south, the cost of living going up, so he does leave the country and the party in a poor state, for all of the strengths and leadership he showed, supporting president zelensky in ukraine against vladimir putin. so, for all of that... against vladimir putin. so, for all of that. .. ., against vladimir putin. so, for all of that. .. . , against vladimir putin. so, for all of that. .. ., , ., ,~ against vladimir putin. so, for all ofthat... ., , of that. .. can i 'ust ask you, we only have — of that. .. can i 'ust ask you, we only have a — of that. .. can ijust ask you, we only have a couple _ of that. .. can ijust ask you, we only have a couple of _ of that. .. can ijust ask you, we only have a couple of minutes l of that. .. can ijust ask you, we i only have a couple of minutes left. just on his resignation statement today in downing street, which will be replayed for decades and centuries to come, presumably, what did you make of that was matter of people are saying it was quite petulant and resentful. he was talking about tory mps as the herd,

and when the herd moves, it moves, and when the herd moves, it moves, and not really any apology or self reflection. what did you make of that? w , ., reflection. what did you make of that? , ., . reflection. what did you make of that? , . . ., that? exactly that. we saw the man who is very — that? exactly that. we saw the man who is very angry. _ that? exactly that. we saw the man who is very angry, very _ that? exactly that. we saw the man who is very angry, very bitter. i that? exactly that. we saw the man who is very angry, very bitter. he i who is very angry, very bitter. he does feel that he has done all of these things and what an ungrateful party and nation, and people stabbing him in the back, is the way that he treated other people, david cameron and theresa may, so he does not have much to complain on. but thatis not have much to complain on. but that is the last will and testament. no one is going to care. anything else that he says for the rest of his life. not his memoirs, he has given his last defining statement and if he had thought about it more, he has shown more humility, contrition and reflection, and actually shown as more of the kind of human being which, at his best,

he can be, so very disappointing, and he will come, i can tell you without a shadow of a doubt, he will come bitterly to regret the manner of his departure. become a matter interesting, anthony selden, the political historian reflecting on an extraordinary day our political history in downing street because it was at 12:30pm today that was johnson after weeks and days of pressure, stepped out of the famous door behind me to announce that he would, after all, door behind me to announce that he would, afterall, be door behind me to announce that he would, after all, be stepping down as tory party leader, but he stays on as prime minister while a successor can be chosen by the tory party, and that could be not until september or even october. that is the latest from downing street. you are watching bbc news.

today at six... he's resigned — the final days of the borisjohnson premiership. i want you to know how sad i am to be giving up the bestjob in the world. but them's the breaks. flanked by family and loyal allies, mrjohnson spoke of achievement, but not a word about his mistakes — he blamed westminster politics. as we have seen at westminster, the herd instinct is powerful and, when the herd moves, it moves — and, my friends, in politics no—one is remotely indispensable. the end looked inevitable as yet more resignations left his authority in tatters. the message from each one was the same.