Boris Johnson confirms resignation in TV speech, but says he will stay in post until a successor is named

• UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed on Thursday he would stand down.
• Johnson said he planned to stay in office for a time, and has appointed new ministers to keep the government running.

Boris Johnson has confirmed he will stand down as prime minister, saying it is "clearly now the will" of the party for there to be a new leader, after dozens of his ministers resigned.

In a televised speech on the steps of Number 10, Johnson said he had agreed with Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the backbench 1922 committee, that "the process of choosing that new leader should begin now".

But he will stay in post until a successor is identified, Johnson said. A timetable would be confirmed next week, he added.

In a typically upbeat speech, surrounded by supporters including his wife Carrie, Johnson said he had tried to persuade colleagues that it would be "eccentric" to change leaders currently, noting that Tories are "only a few points" behind in the polls.

"I regret I was unsuccessful in those arguments," he added, blaming the party's "herd instinct" for his defenestration.

Sources have indicated that Johnson, who as late as Wednesday night had claimed via aides that he would fight on, is hoping to stay until the party conference in October.

But several MPs told Insider they wanted Johnson to quit immediately, with many suggesting deputy prime minister Dominic Raab as a replacement. They all asked for anonymity so speak frankly.

One said it was "not tenable" for him to remain. Asked who should replace him, another MP said: "Anyone – my mum is free."

Johnson had spent Thursday morning scrambling to fill the vacancies, with Greg Clark – from whom Johnson suspended the whip back in 2019 – being made levelling up secretary to replace Michael Gove who was fired Wednesday.

James Cleverly, previously a Foreign Office minister, was made education secretary. Robert Buckland, who had been among those saying Johnson must resign, was made Welsh Secretary.

Some MPs told Insider they had turned him down, saying they would not serve under him.

Suella Braverman and Steve Baker, both ardent Brexiters, have already thrown their hats into the ring for the future leadership contest.

Johnson said he would give "as much support as I can" to the new leader.