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Boris Johnson has finally announced his resignation as UK Prime Minister after his Cabinet spiralled into turmoil.
News broke of his decision to cave in and quit soon after 9am this morning (Thursday, July 7) – just short of two years since he proudly entered 10 Downing Street in July 2019.
Mr Johnson's two years and 348 days as PM falls short of his predecessor Theresa May's stint of three years and falls into the unfavourable ranking of the seventh shortest spell in the history of the British premiership.
READ MORE: What Boris Johnson will do to 'switch off' from work with 'weird' hobby when he resigns
However to the frustration of some within his party, he will assume a caretaker position as leader of the country until a permanent replacement is voted in later this year in October.
Speaking outside 10 Downing Street today (July 7), Johnson announced it was time to begin the search for a new leader, in an emotional farewell.
Mr Johnson told the British public: "I want you to know how sad I am to be giving up the best job in the world, but them's the breaks."
He said that it was "clearly the will of the parliamentary Conservative Party that there should be a new leader" as he confirmed his resignation.
Ultimately BoJo's leadership couldn't take a staggering flurry of resignations that saw more than 50 ministers quit on him in less than 48 hours in a bid to finally put an end to his flagging reign in the top job.
The Prime Minister spoke to the Queen about his resignation on Thursday morning in a "courtesy call".
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Mr Johnson said he sought to stay Prime Minister because he felt it was his "obligation" to continue to do what the Tories promised in 2019.
"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, the biggest Conservative majority since 1987, the biggest share of the vote since 1979.
"And the reason I have fought so hard in the last few days to continue to deliver that mandate in person was not just because I wanted to do so, but because I felt it was my job, my duty, my obligation to you to continue to do what we promised in 2019.
"And of course, I'm immensely proud of the achievements of this Government."
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Despite Partygate, Barnard Castle, insanely expensive wallpaper, and two ethics Tsars quitting on him, the mass resignations that did for BoJo finally came after controversy surrounding Johnson promoting ally Chris Pincher to deputy chief whip.
The PM approved the appointment despite widespread allegations of inappropriate behaviour, which he then went on to claim he was unaware of, despite being told of the exact allegations numerous times. Mr Johnson finally claimed he had forgotten the specifics of the allegations.
Just last month he won a vote of no confidence – although 148 of his own MPs voted against him.
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On Wednesday (July 6) there followed a mass walkout of more junior ministers, each new resignation letter another nail in BoJo's coffin.
Several high-profile cabinet members had vowed to stay in their positions before Mr Johnson's resignation, including Dominic Raab, Liz Truss, Priti Patel, Nadine Dorries and Jacob Rees-Mogg.
But the raft of resignations had been triggered by high-profile ministers Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid, who are among the favourites to replace him, throwing in the towel.
The outgoing Prime Minister admitted some will be relieved at the news but others disappointed.
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Plans for boozy celebrations over Mr Johnson's resignation will be in full swing this evening as his critics raise a glass to the end of a scandal-hit and latterly chaotic tenure at Number 10.
A budding comedian took to social media on Wednesday evening to tweet: "I am glad Boris Johnson hasn't resigned tonight. Thursday is a much better day for an absolute session. Say what you want about Johnson, he does know about parties and celebrations."
Another reacted to this morning's news saying: "Wetherspoons opens at 9am right? Is it too early for celebration drinks."
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