Boris Johnson has resigned as Conservative leader after losing the support of his ministers and MPs.
He is expected to stay on as prime minister until the autumn.
In a statement outside Downing Street, Johnson acknowledged that “no one is remotely indispensable” and accepted that it was the “will of the parliamentary Conservative party” that he should leave No 10.
Joined by his wife, Carrie, and a number of Tory supporters, Johnson said he was “sad to be giving up the best job in the world” and claimed it was “eccentric” to change governments at this stage. “I regret not to have been successful in those arguments,” he said.
Mr Johnson had served as prime minister since 2019.
He was secretary of state for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs from 2016 to 2018 and mayor of London from 2008 to 2016.
Johnson has been Member of Parliament (MP) for Uxbridge and South Ruislip since 2015 and was previously MP for Henley from 2001 to 2008.
Here are a few photos from memorable moments in his career.
1. Boris Johnson practising his serve. Credit: Getty Images
London Mayor Boris Johnson in action during the Rally Against Cancer charity match on day seven of the AEGON Championships at Queens Club on June 16, 2013 . | Getty Images
2. Boris launching the first ‘Boris bikes.” Credit: Getty Images
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson rides a bicycle during the announcement of Santander as the new sponsor of Santander Cycles in 2015. | Credit: Getty Images
3. Boris Johnson at Northern Line extension works in 2015. Credit: Getty Images
London Mayor Boris Johnson gestures as he poses for a photograph to mark the start of major works to build London Underground’s Northern line extension from Kennington to Battersea via Nine Elms at Battersea Park on November 23, 2015. | Getty Images
4. Boris Johnson enjoys a dance with Tess Daly. Credit: Getty Images
Mayor of London Boris Johnson holds Dance Champion Camilla Dallerup at the launch of the T-Mobile Big Dance 2010 at The London Palladium on July 1, 2010. | Getty Images