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. for me, the elastic snapped and that is why i sent a respectful and polite message to the prime minister this morning suggesting that he should go. mrjohnson has assembled a new cabinet, with some new faces — he wants to stay in no 10 until there is a new conservative leader. arguments have raged all day about just how long borisjohnson can stay in downing street. tonight, he is promising any big decisions will be left to the next prime minister. just over two years ago, borisjohnson was riding high, but today he leaves a country divided about his legacy. i think he's lied and been found out, and i think he should go. i don't think he's credible any more. i think he did a marvellousjob. what he's done for the country, people don't realise. who else could have done that? who could have passed brexit?

also this hour... foreign ministers arrive for the 620 meeting, the first with russia since the start of the ukraine war. and ons jabeur makes history as she reaches the wimbledon final. good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. very nearly three years years ago, borisjohnson was master of all he surveyed, with a huge mandate from voters. today, he is on his way out, his authority evaporated and his integrity in doubt. speaking outside downing street, he made it clear that he wanted to stay, saying it was his duty, but blamed what he called the westminster "herd instinct" forforcing him out. mrjohnson�*s plan is to leave no 10 only when a successor is chosen by the conservatives, but opposition parties and some in his own party believe he should go sooner.

the end game of thejohnson premiership began earlier this week with the resignations of the former health secretary sajid javid and former chancellor rishi sunak. that opened the floodgates to a slew of resignations from government. here they are, 58 in total. so, even as thejohnson era comes to an end, attention is turning to who will replace him and how they will cope with an inbox that includes relations with the eu and the cost of living crisis. more on all that later, but first, our political editor, chris mason, on a day of political upheaval for westminster and the country. george, just last night, boris johnson was exercising brutal prime ministerial power, sacking a cabinet minister. there was a defiance and a determination to continue, even a swagger. how things change. this morning, there was silence, boris johnson privately contemplating his future. and then the news that he would be leaving. at breakfast time,

there was talk of a constitutional crisis, a prime minister who wouldn't budge and more and more ministers resigning. butjust after nine o'clock news came that boris johnson would resign today. this, the most powerful street in the country, suddenly packed. those arriving for work here were capturing the moment, too. at lunchtime a lectern. there was normally inside were outside, an audience awaits. and then a moment at once personal, political and constitutional. hi. at once personal, political and constitutional.— constitutional. hi, everybody. applause- — applause. it is clearly now the will of the parliamentary conservative party that there should be a new leader of that there should be a new leader of that party, and there for a new prime minister. so, i want to say to the millions of people who voted for us in 2019, many of them voting

conservative for the first time, thank you for that incredible mandate, 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 to do what we promised in 2019. he fought hard and lost, his cabinet and his party abandoning him, but listen still to his defiance. in and his party abandoning him, but listen still to his defiance.- listen still to his defiance. in the last few days _ listen still to his defiance. in the last few days i've _ listen still to his defiance. in the last few days i've tried _ listen still to his defiance. in the last few days i've tried to - listen still to his defiance. in the i last few days i've tried to persuade my colleagues that it would be eccentric to change governments when we're delivering so much. this eccentric to change governments when we're delivering so much.— we're delivering so much. this was boris johnson _ we're delivering so much. this was boris johnson forced _ we're delivering so much. this was boris johnson forced to _ we're delivering so much. this was boris johnson forced to articulate l boris johnson forced to articulate that his imagined future here was being crushed. the boy who dreams of being crushed. the boy who dreams of being world king, injected. figs being crushed. the boy who dreams of being world king, injected.— being world king, in'ected. as we've seen at being world king, injected. as we've seen at westminster, _ being world king, injected. as we've seen at westminster, the _ being world king, injected. as we've seen at westminster, the herd - 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. 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. giving up the best job in the world. but them's the breaks.— but them's the breaks. that's life, mrjohnson — but them's the breaks. that's life, mrjohnson acknowledging, - but them's the breaks. that's life, mrjohnson acknowledging, a - but them's the breaks. that's life, l mrjohnson acknowledging, a painful personal moment, a splash of history unfolding factor being prime minister is an education in itself. i've travelled to every part of the united kingdom, and in addition to the beauty of our natural world, i've found so many people possessed of such a boundless british originality, and so willing to tackle old problems in new ways, that i know that even if things can sometimes seem dark now, our future

together is golden. thank you all very much. together is golden. thank you all very much-— together is golden. thank you all ve much. ., ., ., ~ ., ., very much. what a moment. a man who won a big majority _ very much. what a moment. a man who won a big majority at — very much. what a moment. a man who won a big majority at a _ won a big majority at a general election just won a big majority at a general electionjust 2.5 years won a big majority at a general election just 2.5 years ago is going, humiliated by his party, the borisjohnson era will soon be over. liar! boris johnson era will soon be over. liar! . ' boris johnson era will soon be over. liar! ., , ., �* ., , liar! few are indifferent to boris johnson. liar! few are indifferent to boris johnson- a _ liar! few are indifferent to boris johnson. a primary _ liar! few are indifferent to boris johnson. a primary colours - liar! few are indifferent to boris | johnson. a primary colours prime minister provoking colourful reactions to the near end. fix, minister provoking colourful reactions to the near end. a great man brought _ reactions to the near end. a great man brought down, _ reactions to the near end. a great man brought down, that - reactions to the near end. a great man brought down, that is - reactions to the near end. a great man brought down, that is all- reactions to the near end. a great man brought down, that is all i i reactions to the near end. a greatl man brought down, that is all i can say at the moment, thank you. the country will — say at the moment, thank you. the country will rue _ say at the moment, thank you. the country will rue thisday. they - say at the moment, thank you. the country will rue thisday. they will l country will rue thisday. they will re . ret it country will rue thisday. they will regret it like _ country will rue thisday. they will regret it like they _ country will rue thisday. they will regret it like they did _ country will rue thisday. they will regret it like they did with - regret it like they did with thatcher _ regret it like they did with thatcher. this _ regret it like they did with thatcher. this will- regret it like they did with thatcher. this will be - regret it like they did with thatcher. this will be a i regret it like they did with - thatcher. this will be a mistake. but plenty — thatcher. this will be a mistake. but plenty of _ thatcher. this will be a mistake. but plenty of others _ thatcher. this will be a mistake. but plenty of others within - thatcher. this will be a mistake. but plenty of others within the l but plenty of others within the conservative party and beyond think borisjohnson should be standing down as prime minister pretty much immediately, and notjust as conservative leader. the former prime minister sirjohn major is among them. in a letter, he wrote... the proposalfor the prime minister

to remain in office is unwise and maybe unsustainable. for the overall well being of the country, mr johnson should not remain in downing street for any longer than necessary to effect the smooth transition of government. sirjohnson suggested that the deputy prime minister could take over for a that the deputy prime minister could take overfor a bit, that the deputy prime minister could take overfora bit, ora that the deputy prime minister could take overfor a bit, or a caretaker prime minister could be drafted in. would theresa may fancy it? look. prime minister could be drafted in. would theresa may fancy it? look, i don't think a... — would theresa may fancy it? look, i don't think a... from _ would theresa may fancy it? look, i don't think a... from everything - would theresa may fancy it? look, i don't think a... from everything i i don't think a... from everything i hear, i don't think there is going to be a caretaker prime minister in the sense of somebody else coming in to do that role. find the sense of somebody else coming in to do that role.— to do that role. and what does an opposition _ to do that role. and what does an opposition party _ to do that role. and what does an opposition party leader _ to do that role. and what does an opposition party leader do - to do that role. and what does an opposition party leader do on - to do that role. and what does an opposition party leader do on a i to do that role. and what does an i opposition party leader do on a day like this? one option is to smile and go and watch some tennis at wimbledon, having said this about borisjohnson. he wimbledon, having said this about boris johnson-— boris johnson. he needs to go completely. — boris johnson. he needs to go completely, none _ boris johnson. he needs to go completely, none of— boris johnson. he needs to go completely, none of this - boris johnson. he needs to go - completely, none of this nonsense about _ completely, none of this nonsense about clinging on for a few months. he's inflicted lies, fraud and chaos in the _ he's inflicted lies, fraud and chaos in the country, and you know, we're

stuck— in the country, and you know, we're stuck with— in the country, and you know, we're stuck with a — in the country, and you know, we're stuck with a government which isn't functioning — stuck with a government which isn't functionina. stuck with a government which isn't functioning-— functioning. there will be an overwhelming _ functioning. there will be an overwhelming and _ functioning. there will be an overwhelming and very - functioning. there will be an - overwhelming and very widespread sense _ overwhelming and very widespread sense of— overwhelming and very widespread sense of relief— overwhelming and very widespread sense of relief today _ overwhelming and very widespread sense of relief today that _ overwhelming and very widespread sense of relief today that boris - sense of relief today that boris johnsou's _ sense of relief today that boris johnson's time _ sense of relief today that boris johnson's time as _ sense of relief today that boris johnson's time as prime - sense of relief today that boris i johnson's time as prime minister, which _ johnson's time as prime minister, which should _ johnson's time as prime minister, which should probably _ johnson's time as prime minister, which should probably never - johnson's time as prime minister, which should probably never have| which should probably never have been _ which should probably never have been allowed _ which should probably never have been allowed to _ which should probably never have been allowed to happen - which should probably never have been allowed to happen in - which should probably never have been allowed to happen in the . been allowed to happen in the first place. _ been allowed to happen in the first place. is _ been allowed to happen in the first place. is coming _ been allowed to happen in the first place, is coming to— been allowed to happen in the first place, is coming to an _ been allowed to happen in the first place, is coming to an end - been allowed to happen in the first place, is coming to an end to. - been allowed to happen in the first place, is coming to an end to. thel place, is coming to an end to. the roblem place, is coming to an end to. the problem is — place, is coming to an end to. the problem is the _ place, is coming to an end to. problem is the conservative place, is coming to an end to.- problem is the conservative party and certainly mps have stood by him for so long, they propped him up, they enabled him to fail to lead our country properly, and my heart goes out to the millions of families and pensioners who have not been helped properly because his government has been so incompetent.— been so incompetent. attention now turns to those _ been so incompetent. attention now turns to those who _ been so incompetent. attention now turns to those who aspire _ been so incompetent. attention now turns to those who aspire to - been so incompetent. attention now turns to those who aspire to come . turns to those who aspire to come nextin turns to those who aspire to come next in downing street, a fourth prime minister in a little over six years. prime minister in a little over six ears. �* prime minister in a little over six ears. ~ , ., ., ., prime minister in a little over six ears. ~ ., ., .,~ ., , years. are you going to make a bid for the leadership? _ years. are you going to make a bid for the leadership? there - years. are you going to make a bid for the leadership? there is - years. are you going to make a bid for the leadership? there is the i for the leadership? there is the former chancellor... _ for the leadership? there is the former chancellor... foreign i former chancellor... foreign secretary liz truss is likely to be in the picture... and perhaps the former cabinet ministerjeremy hunt, too. among others. a beauty pageant too. among others. a beauty pageant to lead the country is onlyjust

beginning. and anguish, plotting and resignations, a leader departs, soon—ish. chris mason, bbc news, westminster. 0ur political editor chris mason is in westminster for us now. chris, in yourtime, you chris, in your time, you have seen some big political days, ijust wonder how this one compares? george, this is a place all about power, westminster, and every so often, and sometimes quite brutally, that power moves, it transfers, and todayis that power moves, it transfers, and today is one of those days. we've seen it over the last 48 hours, the rapidity of the draining away of borisjohnson's rapidity of the draining away of boris johnson's authority. rapidity of the draining away of borisjohnson's authority. yes, there was that defiance to try and stay put, but in the end, the avalanche of anger about him was so great, it was going to sweeping away. his cabinet had deserted him, and so had his party. this morning, i tried this, by the way, it was impossible to make a cup of tea without at least two or three

ministers resigning in the time it took for the cattle to boil. at that time, the prime minister was in downing street speaking to his closest assistance, and had determined that the time was up. but the intrigue continues because of this question about how long he can carry on as prime minister whilst a leadership race is going on. he is emphasising tonight that he is a different prime minister now to the one of yesterday. instead of using the full range of powers of a prime minister, he is effectively minding the shop, and for that reason, he says, he should have a chance to continue. , ., ~ says, he should have a chance to continue. , ., ,, ., continue. chris, we will talk to you later, but continue. chris, we will talk to you later. but for— continue. chris, we will talk to you later, but for now, _ continue. chris, we will talk to you later, but for now, thank - continue. chris, we will talk to you later, but for now, thank you. i almost from the beginning, borisjohnson's premiership has been dogged by controversy. his handling of revelations of sexual misconduct involving the mp chris pincher was, it seems, the final straw for his own mps. last week number 10 was asked whether the prime minister was aware of any other allegations before he made mr pincher deputy chief whip.

the answer was that he was not aware of any "specific allegations". after that, time and again, ministerial colleagues like therese coffey were sent out to defend that downing street line. but this monday, the bbc revealed that the prime minister had, in fact, known that mr pincher had faced an earlier formal complaint. the following morning simon mcdonald, a former top senior civil servant, backed up the bbc�*s story. that triggered the dramatic resignations of sajid javid and rishi sunak on tuesday, with dozens other ministers with dozens of other ministers and aides following since then. 0ur deputy political editor, vicki young, looks back at a turbulent three years in office. i want to talk to the crowd. riding hirh i want to talk to the crowd. riding hiuh and i want to talk to the crowd. riding high and doing — i want to talk to the crowd. riding high and doing what _ i want to talk to the crowd. riding high and doing what he _ i want to talk to the crowd. riding high and doing what he did - i want to talk to the crowd. riding high and doing what he did best, l high and doing what he did best, borisjohnson on the campaign trail, persuading millions tabac brexit.

many credit, or blame, him for the victory that followed. the many credit, or blame, him for the victory that followed.— victory that followed. the bastion of independence! _ victory that followed. the bastion of independence! he _ victory that followed. the bastion of independence! he was - victory that followed. the bastion of independence! he was a i victory that followed. the bastion l of independence! he was a leading contender to _ of independence! he was a leading contender to replace _ of independence! he was a leading contender to replace david - of independence! he was a leading l contender to replace david cameron when he resigned after the referendum, but a close ally decided to publicly voice concerns about mr johnson's flaws. i to publicly voice concerns about mr johnson's flaws.— johnson's flaws. i realise that while boris _ johnson's flaws. i realise that while boris does _ johnson's flaws. i realise that while boris does have - johnson's flaws. i realise that while boris does have those l johnson's flaws. i realise that i while boris does have those very special abilities to communicate and to reach out, what he did not have was the capacity to build and to lead that team and to provide the leadership the country needs at this critical moment. it leadership the country needs at this critical moment.— critical moment. it was an early warnin: critical moment. it was an early warning from — critical moment. it was an early warning from someone - critical moment. it was an early warning from someone who i critical moment. it was an early i warning from someone who knew him well. he abandoned his campaign, leaving loyal supporters distraught. but his ambitions were thwarted for long. theresa may's brexit plans hit the buffers and tory mps saw him as the buffers and tory mps saw him as the man to get it done. he entered downing street with a team willing to ignore the usual conventions of

politics. at the time, many mps were determined to stop the uk leaving the eu without a deal. mrjohnson asked the queen to suspend parliament, a move deemed unlawful in the supreme court, and kicked more than 20 tory mps out of the party. david gauke was one of them. he was prepared to adopt tactics that other prime ministers would not have adopted, prepared to use language that other prime ministers would not have been prepared to adopt. basically, because he felt that the rules didn't apply to him. the problem is that the approach that he took over brexit is also the approach that he has taken over other matters, personal as well as policy. to other matters, personal as well as oli . ., , other matters, personal as well as oli . ., ., policy. to break the deadlock, an election was _ policy. to break the deadlock, an election was called _ policy. to break the deadlock, an election was called and _ policy. to break the deadlock, an election was called and the i election was called and the conservatives won their biggest majority in more than 30 years. for his new government, though, everything was put on hold. when it was hit by the worst health crisis in modern times.— was hit by the worst health crisis in modern times. from this evening, i must in modern times. from this evening, i must give — in modern times. from this evening, i must give the _ in modern times. from this evening, i must give the british _ in modern times. from this evening, i must give the british people - i must give the british people a very simple instruction. you must

stay at home. very simple instruction. you must stay at home-— stay at home. the prime minister himself became _ stay at home. the prime minister himself became seriously - stay at home. the prime minister himself became seriously ill i stay at home. the prime minister himself became seriously ill with | himself became seriously ill with covid. . . himself became seriously ill with covid. ., ., , ., m covid. kai havertz temperature... he was admitted — covid. kai havertz temperature... he was admitted to _ covid. kai havertz temperature... he was admitted to intensive _ covid. kai havertz temperature... he was admitted to intensive care i covid. kai havertz temperature... he was admitted to intensive care and l was admitted to intensive care and spent three days in hospital. a key ally throughout this time was dominic cummings, is unconventional style aggravated many. and within a year of the election victory, he had resigned after a bitter power struggle, clashing with tory mps and the prime minister's wife. he soon went on the attack, becoming mr johnson's fiercest and most damaging critic. , �* ., critic. doesn't have plan, he doesnt critic. doesn't have plan, he doesn't know _ critic. doesn't have plan, he doesn't know how _ critic. doesn't have plan, he doesn't know how to - critic. doesn't have plan, he doesn't know how to be i critic. doesn't have plan, he l doesn't know how to be prime minister, and we only got him in doubt because we had to solve a certain problem, not because we thought he was the right person to be running the country. mrjohnson was criticised _ be running the country. mrjohnson was criticised by _ be running the country. mrjohnson was criticised by his _ be running the country. mrjohnson was criticised by his ethics - be running the country. mrjohnson was criticised by his ethics over i was criticised by his ethics over the complicated refunding refunding of a lavish flat refurbishment. he infuriated colleagues by trying to water down standards on public life to help a colleague, only to u—turn

later. to help a colleague, only to u-turn later. ~ . . to help a colleague, only to u-turn later. ~ ., ., , ., to help a colleague, only to u-turn later. ~ ., ., i. ., to help a colleague, only to u-turn later. ~ ., ., ., ., , later. what have you done to this lace? a later. what have you done to this place? a heavy — later. what have you done to this place? a heavy by-election i later. what have you done to this | place? a heavy by-election defeat later. what have you done to this i place? a heavy by-election defeat to the liberal democrats _ place? a heavy by-election defeat to the liberal democrats was _ place? a heavy by-election defeat to the liberal democrats was the i the liberal democrats was the first sign that voters want impressed. boris came to downing street without a plan, then chose the wrong strategists and i think, every time he got busted, rather than owning up to it, he did the usual boris thing, which is to say, i'm not going to apologise or change, i'm going to ride it out, and he was tied down by his own character and, in the end, he proved quite inflexible. last ear he proved quite inflexible. last year story _ he proved quite inflexible. last year story started _ he proved quite inflexible. last year story started looking about rule breaking parties in number ten while the rest of the country was in lockdown stop after a police investigation, mrjohnson was fined for a birthday celebration in the cabinet room. altogether, over 120 fines were issued to staff. a report by senior civil servant blamed a failure of leadership and mrjohnson was accused of lying about what went on. the final straw was a chaotic

response to allegations of sexual misconduct against the deputy chief which, chris bridge have stopped mr johnson was accused of not being about what he knew. for some, there is a legacy to be proud of. i about what he knew. for some, there is a legacy to be proud of.— is a legacy to be proud of. i think we need to _ is a legacy to be proud of. i think we need to recognise _ is a legacy to be proud of. i think we need to recognise that - is a legacy to be proud of. i think we need to recognise that he i we need to recognise that he delivered on his promise to get brexit done and he got us through the pandemic with the most successful vaccination programme in europe, so there is much to be positive about. for europe, so there is much to be positive about.— positive about. for many of mr johnson's _ positive about. for many of mr johnson's colleagues, - positive about. for many of mr johnson's colleagues, his i positive about. for many of mr- johnson's colleagues, his downfall is not a surprise. vicki young, bbc news. before his resignation speech, borisjohnson appointed replacements for those who left cabinet positions over the last few days. the education secretary, michelle donelan, who was in post for less than 48 hours before she quit, has been replaced by ja mes cleverly. greg clark has been appointed levelling up secretary, replacing michael gove, who was sacked by the prime minister last night. robert buckland becomes welsh secretary, shailesh vara

becomes northern ireland secretary and kit malthouse becomes chancellor of the duchy of lancaster. theyjoin cabinet ministers who have decided to stay in post, even though some had urged the prime minister to stand down. the new cabinet are due to serve until the autumn, when the conservative party hopes to have a new leader in place. so how does that work? on monday, the election 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. then a series of votes among tory mps whittles the candidates down to two. they then go forward to a vote of all conservative party members who decide the winner and next leader. there are around 200,000 members.

but who is likely to be on the initial ballot? here's our political correspondent ben wright with the likely candidates. you could be hearing a lot from these names over the summer. the next prime minister will be picked by the tory party and it's likely to be a crowded field, with no obvious frontrunner. at cabinet on tuesday, borisjohnson was surrounded by possible successors. some have been campaigning quietly for months, eyeing up the topjob, waiting for the gun to be fired. so, who might enter the race? well, there's rishi sunak, chancellor of the exchequer until he quit on tuesday. he is believed to be putting a leadership team together but some tory mps are cross he didn't cut taxes. sajid javid has stood twice for leader before and was the first cabinet minister to resign this week. the foreign secretary liz truss has never hidden her intentions. she voted remain in 2016 but has been a fierce defender of brexit ever since. the grassroots seem to like her. penny mordaunt is a royal navy reservist and defence secretary under theresa may, now widely thought to be gunning for the topjob.

and there's nadhim zahawi, appointed chancellor this week and ambitious — as they all are. the government's top legal officer suella braverman has already put her hat in the ring and was gently teased about it by labour. and can i say what an honour it is to be at this dispatch box facing the next prime minister, as she awaits her call from the palace. the list goes on — there's a lot of chat about ben wallace, the defence secretary. and grant shapps, the transport secretary is also seriously considering a run for leader. borisjohnson plans to stick around as prime minister while tory mps and party members plough through the process of picking a new leader. but the rules for this election are not nailed down yet and there are tory mps who want to see mr johnson out sooner. i think what we need to do is appoint a caretaker, this weekend, somebody who won't run to be leader. i really worry otherwise we're going to get into a febrile hotjuly coronation of somebody in a hurry.

and are you going to have a crack at it? no, i won't be running but i will be working this summer to make sure we get the right person. this is crucial. we're in the last chance saloon, this party's packed with talent. the public haven't seen enough of it. restoring some calm after the chaos, rebuilding trust in political standards. the candidates will argue about the direction of the tory party but they will all agree the culture of leadership has to change. ben wright, bbc news, westminster. it's been an unprecented 48 hours in british politics, a record number of resignations — just look at them all. 0nly last night the prime minister was saying he had a personal mandate to remain in power. so what do the voters who gave borisjohnson a resounding election victory less than three years ago make of today's news? 0ur political correspondent alex forsyth has spent the day in west bromwich. the two seats there voted conservative at the general election in 2019.

the reverberations from westminster echoed through west bromwich as news broke this morning. borisjohnson is going to resign as conservative party leader. going to resign as conservative party leader-— going to resign as conservative party leader.- has - going to resign as conservative party leader.- has had i going to resign as conservative party leader.- has had a| going to resign as conservative party leader. good. has had a store here for 20 — party leader. good. has had a store here for 20 years _ party leader. good. has had a store here for 20 years and _ party leader. good. has had a store here for 20 years and voted - party leader. good. has had a store here for 20 years and voted for i here for 20 years and voted for boris johnson's party here for 20 years and voted for borisjohnson's party but now he is glad to see him go. he boris johnson's party but now he is glad to see him go.— boris johnson's party but now he is glad to see him go. he should have done that a — glad to see him go. he should have done that a long _ glad to see him go. he should have done that a long time _ glad to see him go. he should have done that a long time ago. - glad to see him go. he should have done that a long time ago. once i glad to see him go. he should have done that a long time ago. once he had sought to brexit out people want him any more. this had sought to brexit out people want him any more-— him any more. this market town is one which towed _ him any more. this market town is one which towed tory _ him any more. this market town is one which towed tory at _ him any more. this market town is one which towed tory at the - him any more. this market town is one which towed tory at the last i one which towed tory at the last election after decades of labour. voters took a chance on a conservative prime minister who has lasted barely three years. boris johnson is going to quit. has lasted barely three years. boris johnson is going to quit. has he not one et? johnson is going to quit. has he not gone yet? different _ johnson is going to quit. has he not gone yet? different reactions i johnson is going to quit. has he not gone yet? different reactions from | gone yet? different reactions from ma and gone yet? different reactions from mary and janet- — gone yet? different reactions from mary and janet. he _ gone yet? different reactions from mary and janet. he has _ gone yet? different reactions from mary and janet. he has lied - gone yet? different reactions from mary and janet. he has lied and i gone yet? different reactions from i mary and janet. he has lied and been found out. mary and janet. he has lied and been found out- he — mary and janet. he has lied and been found out. he should _ mary and janet. he has lied and been found out. he should go. _ mary and janet. he has lied and been found out. he should go. he - mary and janet. he has lied and been found out. he should go. he is - mary and janet. he has lied and been found out. he should go. he is not i found out. he should go. he is not credible any more. i

found out. he should go. he is not credible any more.— credible any more. i think he did a marvellous — credible any more. i think he did a marvellous job. _ credible any more. i think he did a marvellousjob. i— credible any more. i think he did a marvellous job. i think _ credible any more. i think he did a marvellous job. i think he - credible any more. i think he did a marvellous job. i think he has - credible any more. i think he did a | marvellous job. i think he has been marvellousjob. i think he has been pushed _ marvellousjob. i think he has been pushed out — marvellousjob. i think he has been pushed out. what they have done is disgraceful. fist pushed out. what they have done is dis raceful. �* , , , disgraceful. at this pub, the pun'abi disgraceful. at this pub, the punjabi food _ disgraceful. at this pub, the punjabi food came - disgraceful. at this pub, the punjabi food came with - disgraceful. at this pub, the punjabi food came with a . disgraceful. at this pub, the - punjabi food came with a political twist. lunch with an outgoing prime minister and not many were impressed. he minister and not many were impressed-— minister and not many were imressed. �* impressed. he can't tell the truth and he's been — impressed. he can't tell the truth and he's been caught _ impressed. he can't tell the truth and he's been caught out. - impressed. he can't tell the truth and he's been caught out. he - impressed. he can't tell the truthj and he's been caught out. he has impressed. he can't tell the truth i and he's been caught out. he has no cabinet left. and he's been caught out. he has no cabinet left-— cabinet left. what did you think of his seech cabinet left. what did you think of his speech he _ cabinet left. what did you think of his speech he should _ cabinet left. what did you think of his speech he should have - cabinet left. what did you think of his speech he should have shown| cabinet left. what did you think of - his speech he should have shown some humili . his speech he should have shown some humility- he — his speech he should have shown some humility. he managed _ his speech he should have shown some humility. he managed well— his speech he should have shown some humility. he managed well with - his speech he should have shown some humility. he managed well with covid l humility. he managed well with covid and hepefully — humility. he managed well with covid and hopefully some _ humility. he managed well with covid and hopefully some of _ humility. he managed well with covid and hopefully some of that _ humility. he managed well with covid and hopefully some of that will- humility. he managed well with covid and hopefully some of that will be - and hopefully some of that will be remembered but we need to move on. good riddance, he should have gone a-es good riddance, he should have gone ages 59°~ _ good riddance, he should have gone ages ago. you can't have somebody in the highest _ ages ago. you can't have somebody in the highest office you can't trust. one the highest office you can't trust. ohe local— the highest office you can't trust. one local mp was among those whose resignation piled pressure on the prime minister, resistant as he was the quitting. borisjohnson's the quitting. boris johnson's argument for the quitting. borisjohnson's argument for holding on was that his party would lose in places like this he left but, in the end, plenty of

his own mps concluded they wouldn't win if he stayed. as the clamour starts over who comes next, the question is whether a replacement can hold support in different parts of the country, at this play centre, staff member lid isn't impressed. boris isn't conventional, but that was part of the appeal, definitely for me. they are going to have a toughjob trying to for me. they are going to have a tough job trying to sort it out. there is certainly a mountain to climb and, while westminster wrestles with the aftermath of boris johnson's downfall, voters have yet to pass their verdict. let's turn now to reaction from the uk nations. the resignation of borisjohnson comes at a difficult time for northern ireland, with the government's controversial legislation to override parts of the brexit arrangements about to go through parliament. and thatjob now falls to a brand—new northern ireland secretary. joining me now is our ireland correspondent, emma vardy.

the people of northern ireland aching for some certainty. are they likely to get it with today's events? ., ., , , events? northern ireland is in its own political— events? northern ireland is in its own political crisis, _ events? northern ireland is in its own political crisis, without - events? northern ireland is in its own political crisis, without a - own political crisis, without a fully functioning government since february, and getting him back was very much hanging on resolving the problems with the brexit arrangement, the northern ireland protocol, which has created a trade border in the irish sea. the democratic unionist party has indicated it will not go back into stormont unless that trade border is removed, and the party very much saw borisjohnson as its best chance for fast tracking through parliament controversial legislation which would go some way to doing that so, with him gone, things feel in much more doubt, and a big question for any new prime minister is, will they provide the same sort of reassurances to the dup or might they take softer line, perhaps, negotiating concessions with the eu? that might please the nationalist parties but it could prolong the

political deadlock. the outgoing northern ireland secretary, brandon lewis, had been poised to force through the commissioning of long—awaited abortion services, so now campaign as there would be looking to see how his successor picks the button on that. in a moment, we will be hearing from hywel griffith in cardiff, but first to james shaw in glasgow. relief is a word that a lot of people across the political spectrum have been using today, and nicola sturgeon, the first minister, echoed that sense of widespread relief. she said, that borisjohnson was going, but she said it was an unsustainable proposition that he would remain as a caretaker prime ministerfor an extended period. that was actually echoed by the leader of the scottish conservatives, douglas ross, but not by alisterjack, boris johnson's conservatives, douglas ross, but not by alisterjack, borisjohnson's man

in scotland, is scottish secretary, who has stood by him all the way through this crisis. he described borisjohnson as a good friend and said he was sorry that he was leading. there is one other question which is taxing people in scotland, what about nicola sturgeon's proposed independence referendum, second independence referendum, in october next year? is it possible a new prime minister might look differently upon it? borisjohnson rejected quite firmly recently. in theory, yes, but in reality it's hard to imagine a conservative prime minister of the uk saying yes to an independence referendum any time soon. not my colleague, hywel griffith, in cardiff. support for boris johnson among welsh conservatives had pretty much evaporated before the lectern was brought out at lunchtime to stop his former trustee lou tennant simon hart resigned as welsh secretary last night and his replacement this

morning robert buckland only took thejob on the morning robert buckland only took the job on the basis morning robert buckland only took thejob on the basis borisjohnson would go. when should he go? the answerfrom the welsh would go. when should he go? the answer from the welsh conservative leader in the senate is it would be fine for him to hang on as caretaker over the summer. he says boris johnson is a legacy and he will be mindful of the fact the tories won a historic election here in 2019, more seats than ever before, turning so many of them from red to blue, so the question for the next leader is, how do they hang onto constituencies like wrexham, the vale of clwyd, bridgend? how do those first time tory voters stay with them? the other question for whoever is next delete the tories as what to do about the broken election ship with the welsh government? it's a labour administration and you would expect things to be tense, but it's become particularly fractious in the last year or so, with politicians in cardiff bay claiming the uk government is deliberately disrespecting the devolution

settlement. hywel griffith and james shaw, thank you both. one of the biggest issues facing a new prime minister is the cost—of—living crisis. today, the government's independent forecaster, the office for budget responsibility, warned that debt in the uk is on an "unsustainable path" unless spending is tightened and taxes are raised. our economics editor, faisal islam, is here to explain. the government's own forecasters have a central message — there's not enough money to fund services for an ageing society over the next 50 years, leading to massive government debts unless something is done. this is down to several things — a slower growing economy, a declining workforce and population. at the same time, spending is set to shoot up on the nhs, social care and pensions, as society ages. for example, now we spend less than a fifth of the value of the whole economy on a combination of health, social care and pensions. over 50 years, that is rising

to closer to a third. and, if we have fewer workers and therefore less tax coming in, as predicted, that means a borrowing timebomb. so here's one stark example of why there will be less tax coming in — fuel and excise duty, as one example. the government would expect to get a huge amount here — £30 billion a year. but, because of the phasing out of petrol engines in favour of electric cars, that revenue is heading to, well, zero. will it be replaced? can it be replaced? and yet, right now, in the argument over who becomes pm, the pressure is to offer immediate tax cuts or not go through with planned tax rises. how much will be tackled by candidates hoping to be the next pm? let's see. george. let's go back to our political editor, chris mason. chris, you touched on this before and i want to go back to the

question of borisjohnson wanting to stay until autumn. how likely is it that he will get his way? it’s stay until autumn. how likely is it that he will get his way?— that he will get his way? it's a live conversation _ that he will get his way? it's a live conversation about - that he will get his way? it's a live conversation about the i live conversation about the timeframe for the election of a conservative leader, how long that might take because, once that's completed, borisjohnson can leave and a separate discussion about whether it would be reasonable or sensible to have some sort of caretaker prime minister in the gap between now and a new conservative leader being elected. on the timetable of electing a new leader, downing street are quite keen on this idea of it running all summer long and a new leader being in place in time for the conservative conference at the beginning of october but, speaking to people in the party this afternoon, you get very different takes on how long the race might take. one cabinet minister suggested it could be done in about three weeks if the mp5 here at westminster were able to decide who the leader was and there wasn't a contest amongst the conservative party membership. around 100,000

people, the tiniest sliver of the electorate of course in total, and one that by definition is unrepresentative of the nation at large, but they potentially end conservative mps will pick the next prime minister on our behalf. from brexit to providing assistance to ukraine, borisjohnson has promoted an image of global britain on the world stage. so what has the reaction been to his resignation? our diplomatic correspondent caroline hawley looks at his reputation beyond the uk. the british government is in turmoil this morning. prime minister borisjohnson, a key ally, announces that he is resigning. the downfall of borisjohnson has made international headlines. the prime minister, who as a child wanted to be king of the world, who took the uk out of the eu and promoted the country as global britain. it is time to change the record, to recover our natural and historic

role as an enterprising, outward—looking and truly global britain. generous in temper and engaged with the world. the crisis in ukraine has provided borisjohnson an opportunity to show british generosity. the uk was the first european country to send arms, with cross—party support. but as support for his leadership at home drained away, ukraine appeared for him a welcome distraction. in president zelensky, he found a grateful ally who today expressed sadness. translation: thank you, - boris johnson, for understanding the threat of the russian monster and always being at the forefront of supporting ukraine. moscow, by contrast, gloated, with one official saying he'd been hit by his own boomerang. we have a deal with the eu that is ready to go. it is oven ready as i never tire... brexit had propelled borisjohnson to power. he got his deal, but his plan

to override parts of it brought fury in european capitals. and there are few tears being shed in most of europe tonight at his demise. he is making great progress, so it's an honour to have you here. we will be discussing trade. we can quadruple our trade with the uk... borisjohnson has drawn comparisons with donald trump — both populist, controversial leaders. despite the smiles, relations withjoe biden are cooler, with no trade deal in sight and concerns in washington over northern ireland. i think he's seen as a big and charismatic personality, but i'm afraid one that could not be trusted to stick to deals. his word was not his bond. we are now a country which unilaterally rips up international agreements. i think we're diminished on the international stage and there's ground to be made up. boris johnson relished the world stage. he's reordered british foreign policy. but there are, to put it mildly, decidedly mixed views of his overall performance and of the legacy he'll leave. caroline hawley, bbc news.

we'll have more on this story later in the programme, but question time tonight will unusually be shown live tonight at an earlier time of 8pm on the iplayer, online and on the iplayer app. strike action by around 700 british airways check—in staff at heathrow has been suspended, after unions said the airline had made a "vastly improved" pay offer. the unite union said an agreement was reached after "extensive" talks. both unite and gmb union members will now be balloted on the new pay deal. northern ireland women's football team will play their first game at a major tournament later. the squad, made up of mostly part—time players, take on norway in their opening game of the women's euros. it's being played at southampton, where jane dougall is for us. jane, how momentous an occasion is this?

george, it has really been a fairy tale. as you mentioned, none of the squad are professional for, tale. as you mentioned, none of the squad are professionalfor, they all have dayjobs, the squad consists of nhs workers, teachers and even shop workers, and so, just to get to a major tournament is a major achievement in itself. the captain, marisa callaghan, said it would be every little girl's dream to lead her country out onto a pitch like this, and we are going to be watching her do that in just under 90 minutes' time. the irish fa did find the team to train full—time in the lead—up to this tournament, but they are still the lowest ranked country in the euros. in sharp contrast, their opponents tonight, norway, have won the euros twice, and they have also got a few big names in their squad, including adah heger byrd, who is a champions league winner and a ban on door winner. but northern ireland are not fazed by that, because when the captain marisa callaghan was asked about her, she said, who? we are

very much looking forward to kick off, which will be injust very much looking forward to kick off, which will be in just under 90 minutes. tennis now — wimbledon has reached the semifinal stage in the singles. cameron norrie's big opportunity comes tomorrow, but today it was the women's matches on centre court, and it's seen quite a breakthrough, asjoe wilson reports. meet the family. charlotte eight, cecilia just one, dad charles edouard is the coach and mum — she's tatjana maria, wimbledon semifinalist. playing against a friend, ons jabeur, a groundbreaker for tunisia, for africa, for arab women. an occasion to prove there are different routes to success was a match of touch before power. jabeur, the number three seed, took the first set 6—2. the play followed an intriguing path. you don't see many winners like this. 0h! ranked 103 in the world officially, tatjana maria at sa has shown everyone her ability.

well done! but in the end, she was outplayed in this match, 6—1 in the third and jabeur becomes the first african woman through to a wimbledon final in the open era. but it was a moment to share, as jabeur made absolutely clear. she's such an inspiration for so many players and including me. coming back after having two babies, i still can't believe how she did it but... cheering and applause simona halep strode toward centre court like the former champion she is but could not get going in her semifinal. elena rybakina at 23 was playing like the veteran. she grew up in moscow, represents kazakhstan and serves like this. rybakina is the official pronunciation, she's officially listed as six feet tall. her arms are about a mile long. that's how halep must have felt.

all over in two sets and here's a player no—one really expected to get this far. women's semifinal day, but shall we distract you with a glimpse of tomorrow? cameron norrie arrived at the practice courts this afternoon, turned a few heads. he's preparing for the biggest match of his life, while his opponent novak djokovic. .. ..anticipates another semifinal. he's been through all of this before and enjoys his support here. the big question hanging over wimbledon right now is whether rafa nadal will be fit for his semifinal tomorrow. there is concern about that. right now on centre court, the mixed doubles final is set to be underway, involving britain's neal skupski, it has been delayed because another player involved in that was involved in another match, which ran long. george, it is a busy day, isn't it? thank you, joe. back to our main story tonight — the resignation of borisjohnson.

how have voters reacted to the news in macclesfield, a seat that has returned a conservative mp to westminster since 1918? our special correspondent ed thomas has been finding out. the truest and bluest of tory safe seats, macclesfield, a town loyal to the party for 100 years. but today... borisjohnson resigning, it's over. why did it take so long?! i was dancing in the kitchen, i bought a bottle of cava to celebrate tonight. it's going in the fridge. john and jo, on grandparent duty and planning a leaving do. what do you think of the man? narcissistic, psychopathic, selfish, boorish. if borisjohnson was here now, in cheshire, what would you say to him? you've been an embarrassment for many years and your incompetence has caught up with you. millions and millions of people voted for the conservatives and borisjohnson in 2019, they wanted him. they voted on a promise of something that was not going to materialise. borisjohnson, he's going, what's the reaction? terrible!

terrible. tough to hear for some loyalists like anne and julie. i think it's a shame that he's left and i don't think it's acceptable. you're part of this a0 million that have said i want borisjohnson. the 40 million should get together and descend on london. listening in is edward, 78, a paid—up member of the conservatives and furious. lock the town up and telll them, "we voted for him, we want him kept." sounds a bit donald trump—esque. no, it's not. the only one i would vote for in the tory party was boris. despite all the apologies, despite the misleading of parliament, despite the parties, despite everything, you want him to stay? yeah, ido. that's the only reason i voted for him, because of the character of him. but listen to the relief of best friends and anne and anne. borisjohnson's gone. buffoon. liar — get out. each time there's been something

that he's done and he survived. it's incredible. you start to lose faith in the whole system. 'piglet' they call him, and that is so apt, isn't it? you couldn't go on any longer? no, i couldn't. being a conservative... no. ..member? no, i couldn't stomach it, ed, i'd had enough. former conservative councillor andrew gregory, so disillusioned in borisjohnson, he quit. i will not be rejoining the party. i am so disappointed with the things that i've seen happen. millions of people put theirfaith in borisjohnson. indeed. in working—class communities, they wanted levelling up. yeah, i wonder whether if the vote came again they'd have that same certainty and satisfaction in that individual. a new chapter will soon begin but will old divisions remain? ed thomas, bbc news, macclesfield. we return now to downing street and our political editor, chris mason. chris, there is always a danger, i

suppose, on days like this, of getting caught up in westminster process, in the bubble, butjust tell me what you think, where does this leave britain today?— this leave britain today? well, boris johnson _ this leave britain today? well, boris johnson climbed - this leave britain today? well, boris johnson climbed high i this leave britain today? well, | boris johnson climbed high and this leave britain today? .11 boris johnson climbed high and fell borisjohnson climbed high and fell fast, didn't he? he was a convention smashing, rule bending, primary colours prime minister, who won big, and then was defeated by his own party, within a matter ofjust a couple of years. so, where does it leave us tonight? it leaves us on the brink of a beauty pageant to select our next prime minister, that excludes the vast majority of us. now, that is conventional in a parliamentary democracy, for better or worse, parliamentary democracy, for better orworse, because parliamentary democracy, for better or worse, because parliamentary parties and select their leaders, we as voters do not. so, for many of us, we are spectators to a race that will follow, lasting weeks or months, that will decide who is the next leader of the conservative party, and that will reshape our politics and reshape the discussion and the debate at westminster, and crucially, reshape the platter of

leaders and their parties that we do get to select, by the time of the next general election.— get to select, by the time of the next general election. chris, thank ou ve , next general election. chris, thank you very. very _ next general election. chris, thank you very, very much. _ time for a look at the weather. here's louise lear. i'v e i've just been seeing a little bit of cloud in that? that, i keep promising you a sunshine, don't i? you probably think she is not delivering, but trust me, we got there in the end today, finally, some sunshine came through. eventually the cloud melted away across england and wales, absolutely beautiful afternoon for many. just take a look at this, swansea, absolutely glorious afternoon, not quite so glorious i know in ireland, where the cloud was thick enough for a little bit of drizzle today, which is going to continue tomorrow as well. we are still under the words of high pressure, which will stay with us as we move into the weekend, but this is the weather front which is continuing to bring in the nuisance cloud into the far north west, which stays across northern

parts of scotland and northern ireland tonight, but elsewhere, we keep the clear skies, temperatures holding up, perhaps low to mid double digits first thing in the morning, but i can offer you more sunshine tomorrow, from the word go. a beautiful start for many, that frontal system still producing some nuisance, drizzling rain into the far north west, maybe into northern ireland as well, but only the north coast. elsewhere, there will be lots of sunshine, and where we have got the sunshine, the temperatures will really pick up. getting up to 28 degrees, which is 82 fahrenheit, in the south east corner. something you might have to think about, which we haven't recently, is the uv levels, high to very high, for some areas, and you might need the sunscreen for the weekend as well, the high pressure stays with us, even the weather fronts will start to drift that bit further north, so it is more of an optimistic picture for all of us as we move through the weekend, with a lot of warm, sunny

weather, and those temperatures again peaking in the high 20s. that's all from us for the evening but, before we go, and the news where you are, let's have a look back at boris johnson's time as prime minister. we're going to come out of the eu — no ifs or buts. wonderful to see this new team assembled here. rishi. .. he's going to be a fantastic prime minister, i can tell you. the decision to advise her majesty. to prorogue parliament was unlawful. cheers. you must stay at home. i've developed mild of the coronavirus. machines beep. the nhs has saved my life — no question.

gps are doing an incredible job of getting those jabs into people's arms. yes! uh... so i went, as we all must, to peppa pig world. cameras click. mr speaker, i want to apologise. i've received a fixed penalty notice from the metropolitan police. above all, i want to thank you, the british public, for the immense privilege that you have given me. thank you all very much. thank you. applause.

welcome to viewers here in the uk. it has been an extraordinary day at westminster. it has been an extraordinary day at westminster-— it has been an extraordinary day at westminster. shortly after half past 12 this afternoon _ westminster. shortly after half past 12 this afternoon boris _ westminster. shortly after half past 12 this afternoon boris johnson i 12 this afternoon borisjohnson walked out of the door of number ten to confirm he will resign as conservative party leader. after months of pressure which exploded over the last 48 hours, today everything changed. let'sjust everything changed. let's just remind everything changed. let'sjust remind you of that moment. it is clearly now _ remind you of that moment. it is clearly now the _ remind you of that moment. it is clearly now the will _ remind you of that moment. it 3 clearly now the will of the parliamentary conservative party that there should be a new leader of that there should be a new leader of that party and therefore a new prime minister and i have agreed to sir graham brady, the chairman of our backbench mps that the process of choosing that new leader should begin now, and the timetable will be announced next week, and i have

today appointed a cabinet to serve, as i will, until the new leader is in place. i want to say to the millions of people who voted for us in 2019, many of them voting conservative for the first time, thank you, the biggest conservative majority since 1987, the biggest share of the vote since 1979. and the reason i have fought so hard in the reason i have fought so hard in the last few days to continue to deliver that mandate in person was, notjust because i wanted to do so, but because i felt it was myjob, my duty, my obligation to you, to continue to do what he promised in 2019. and over the last few days i have tried to persuade my colleagues that it would be eccentric to change governments when we were delivering so much, when we have such a vast mandate, and when we are only a handful of points behind in the

polls even in midterm after quite a few months of pretty relentless sledging, and when the economic scene is so difficult domestically and internationally. i regret not to be 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. 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 income we need to pay for great public services. and to that new

leader