Boris Johnson resigns as UK Prime Minister

Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the UK, has resigned today.

In a statement issued outside his Downing Street residence on July 7, Johnson said that “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’ve today appointed a cabinet to serve as I will, until a new leader is in place,” he added.

The Prime Minister @BorisJohnson makes a statement. https://t.co/EfgXuyazjw

— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) July 7, 2022

“I want to say to the millions of people who voted for us in 2019 – thank you for that incredible mandate.”

Simon Coveney, Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, tweeted that the Irish government stands ready to work with a new UK PM.

The Irish gov stands ready to work with a new U.K. PM on protecting our shared achievements in the peace process & our shared responsibility under international law on #Brexit. Let’s start with getting a government in Stormont. I wish @BorisJohnson & his family well.

— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) July 7, 2022

Meanwhile, the EU’s erstwhile Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, Michel Barnier, said that the departure of Johnson opens a new page in relations with the UK.

The departure of Boris Johnson opens a new page in relations with 🇬🇧 .

May it be more constructive, more respectful of commitments made, in particular regarding peace & stability in NI, and more friendly with partners in 🇪🇺.

Because there’s so much more to be done together.

— Michel Barnier (@MichelBarnier) July 7, 2022

A close ally said Johnson had showed in the last 48 hours he would go down fighting but he’s conceded he must resign.

With inputs from Bloomberg