is in turmoil this morning. prime minister borisjohnson, a key ally, announces that he is resigning. the downfall of borisjohnson has made international headlines. the prime minister, who as a child wanted to be king of the world, who took the uk out of the eu and promoted the country as global britain. it is time to change the record, to recover our natural and historic role as an enterprising, outward looking and truly global britain. generous in temper and engaged with the world. the crisis in ukraine has provided borisjohnson an opportunity to show british generosity. the uk was the first european country to send arms, with cross party support. but as support for his leadership at home drained away, ukraine appeared for him a welcome distraction. in president zelensky, he found a grateful ally
don t want you to leave. from the murderous son of a - don t want you to leave. from i the murderous son of a mobster. to eventual loving father, james caan could do it all. before i go, let s look back at some key words and images from the past two and a half years of borisjohnson s time as prime minister. we are going to come out of the eu, no ifs or but. this wonderful new team assembled here. cheers, richey. he is going to be a fantastic prime minister. the decision- to advise her majesty was unlawful. you must stay at home. i ve developed mild symptoms of the coronavirus. the nhs has saved my
welcome to bbc news. i m rich preston. our top stories borisjohnson resigns as conservative party leader, but will stay on as caretaker prime minister. he blames his colleagues for what he called an eccentric idea to change leadership. as we ve seen at westminster, the herd instinct is powerful, and when the herd moves, it moves, and, my friends, in politics, no one is remotely indispensable. we ll take a look at who might replace borisjohnson, as the list of potential
0ur headlines: borisjohnson resigns as conservative party leader, but will stay on as caretaker prime minister. in his resignation statement, he blames his colleagues. attention now turns to who might replace borisjohnson, as the list of potential candidates grows by the hour. there has been huge international reaction to borisjohnson s downfall. we will start with the white house press secretary. 0ur alliance with kingdom continues to be strong. 0ur continues to be strong. our special relationship with the people in the country will continue to endure, of that changes. there is reaction from the european union too. the eu s former chief brexit negotitator michel barnier tweeted: the departure of borisjohnson opens a new page in relations with the uk. may it be more constructive, more respectful of commitments made, in particular regarding peace & stability in northern ireland, and more friendly with partners in the eu. because there s so much more
are you going to make a bid for the leadership, sir? - there s the former chancellor. the foreign secretary, liz truss, is likely to be in the picture, and perhaps the former cabinet minister jeremy hunt, too, among others. a beauty pageant to lead the country is onlyjust beginning, and after the intrigue and anguish, plotting and resignations, a leader departs soon ish. for more analysis on this, i m joined now by our reporter, mark lobel, who is in downing street. it has been quite the 2a hours, but the pressure has not gone away from boris johnson, but the pressure has not gone away from borisjohnson, has it? away from boris johnson, has it? ., , . ., it? that s right, rich. it all bean, it? that s right, rich. it all began, according - it? that s right, rich. it all began, according to - it? that s right, rich. it all began, according to a - it? that s right, rich. it all. began, according to a senior government aide who was explaining the situation by that close door to me, wh