UPDATE:
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says there will be “a widespread sense of relief that the chaos of the last few days (indeed months) will come to an end” as and when Boris Johnson resigns as Conservative leader.
But the SNP leader questions the sustainability of Johnson staying on until the autumn, and says he was always “manifestly unfit to be PM.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has welcomed Johnson’s intention to stand down.
“The Tory party have inflicted chaos upon the country during the worst cost-of-living crisis in decades. And they cannot now pretend they are the ones to sort it out.
“They have been in power for 12 years. The damage they have done is profound.”
Buckingham Palace has yet to comment on whether the Queen has had any communication with Johnson this morning.
The Queen is at Windsor Castle and the Court Circular recorded that she held her usual weekly audience with Johnson by phone on Wednesday evening.
As for a conversation this morning – ITV’s Anoushka Asthana reports that one has taken place.
ORIGINAL STORY
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has agreed to stand down as leader of the Conservative Party later today after losing the support of his ministers and MPs.
The 58 year old Johnson has told colleagues that he will continue as leader until a new PM has been chosen from a leadership contest this summer.
Johnson had vowed to “keep going” following a wave of resignations over the past two days but has now decided to step down after being urged to do so by senior members of his cabinet, including newly-appointed chancellor Nadhim Zahawi.
In his resignation letter, Zahawi said he had “made clear to the prime minister” that he should “leave with dignity”.
Johnson is expected to give a resignation statement outside No 10 Downing Street later.
SOURCE: BBC