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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his resignation as Conservative Party leader and British Prime Minister. He would stay in the office until a replacement is chosen.
Less than three years ago, Boris Johnson led the Conservatives to their biggest election victory since 1987.
“To you, the British public, I know there are many people who will be relieved … and I want you to know how sad I am to be giving up the best job in the world,” he told the nation from outside No. 10 Downing Street — the office and residence of Britain’s prime minister.
The embattled British leader added that he would appoint a new cabinet in the meantime, after a historic wave of resignations from government officials who called on him to step down. After a string of scandals, dozens of lawmakers from his party resigned from the government over the past two days, urging Mr Johnson to step down immediately.
He said he had agreed that the “the process of choosing that new leader should begin now “. A timeline for the selection process will soon be announced.
“To that new leader, I say I will give you as much support as I can,” said Johnson, who faced a party revolt and historic wave of resignations by government officials this week after a mounting list of scandals.
“I want you to know that from now until the new prime minister is in place, your interests will be served and the government of the country will be carried on.”
In his speech, Mr Johnson assured that the UK will back Ukraine “for as long as it takes”.
Boris Johnson said he was “immensely proud” of his achievements as British prime minister, citing the national response to the coronavirus pandemic, the country’s support for Ukraine in the battle against Russia, and Brexit.
In turn, Kiev Presidential Office urgently launched anti-crisis messaging across Ukrainian media, stating UK PM Johnson’s resignation will not affect Kiev and London’s policies and military support to Ukraine will continue.
Meanwhile, Russia’s State Duma Speaker Volodin commented on the resignation, claiming that Johnson is behind the shelling of Russian civilian cities of Belgorod, Kursk.
“The clown is leaving… A close friend and patron of Zelensky, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is forced to leave his post. Despite all his attempts and efforts, he failed to survive.
Boris Johnson is behind the shelling of our peaceful cities — Belgorod, Kursk. British subjects should know this. He is one of the main ideologists of the war against Russia to the last Ukrainian. It is right for the leaders of European states to think about what such a policy leads to.”
