Boris Johnson agrees to resign as British prime minister: ‘Them’s the breaks’

LONDON — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced his resignation, The Associated Press reported Thursday.

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Update 7:46 a.m. EDT July 7: Speaking from a podium outside 10 Downing St., Johnson, 58, did not specify when he would leave his prime minister post, saying he will serve until a successor is chosen.

“The process of choosing that new leader should begin now, and the timetable will be announced next week,” said Johnson, who has held the position since 2019. “And I’ve today appointed a Cabinet to serve, as I will, until a new leader is in place.”

He stepped down immediately as Conservative Party leader, the AP reported.

Johnson previously had rejected Cabinet members’ calls for his resignation following several scandals, including criticism about how he handled sexual misconduct allegations against a senior official. Dozens of ministers have since stepped down from his government, the AP reported.

“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,” he said Thursday.

He went on to say no politician is “remotely indispensable,” and the U.K.’s “brilliant and Darwinian system will produce another leader,” the BBC reported.

He added: “I want you to know how sad I am to be giving up the best job in the world, but them’s the breaks.”

Original report: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has agreed to step down, multiple news outlets are reporting.

According to Reuters and The Associated Press, the Conservative Party leader was expected to announce his resignation Thursday after several scandals, including criticism about how he handled sexual misconduct allegations against a senior official, prompted members of his Cabinet to call for him to quit. At least 40 ministers have stepped down from Johnson’s government, the AP reported.

In a statement Thursday morning, Johnson’s office said the 58-year-old, who became prime minister in 2019, “will make a statement to the country today,” according to Reuters.

Johnson is expected to remain in his post until fall, the BBC reported.

– The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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