Updated: Boris Johnson resigns, remains as caretaker Prime Minister

Boris Johnson agrees to resign

Boris Johnson resigns

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday he was resigning, caving in to calls from ministerial colleagues and lawmakers in his Conservative Party.

“The process of choosing that new leader should begin now,” Johnson said at the door of Number 10 Downing Street.

“And today I have appointed a cabinet to serve, as I will, until a new leader is in place.”

Johnson said he will remain as British prime minister while a leadership contest is held to choose his successor.

Related News

Critics say he should not be allowed to remain as caretaker prime minister and he should be removed from office as soon as possible.

The announcement came after the latest ethics scandal around his leadership led to some 59 senior lawmakers to quit the government.

Johnson had clung to power for two days, defiantly telling lawmakers on Wednesday that he had a “colossal mandate” from voters and intended to get on with the business of government.

But he was forced to concede defeat Thursday morning after two more members of his Cabinet quit and one of his closest allies, Treasury Chief Nadhim Zahawi, publicly told him to resign for the good of the country.

Load more