Number 10 has confirmed disgraced Prime Minister Boris Johnson will address the nation this morning to announce his resignation.
Reports suggest he intends to remain as Prime Minister until a successor is in place, expected to be by the time of the Conservative Party conference in October. However after more than 50 resignations, and with major cabinet and ministerial posts unfilled, this course could create more drama within the party.
A Number 10 spokesman said: "The Prime Minister will make a statement to the country today." A source close to Mr Johnson told the Press Association the PM spoke to Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the Conservative 1922 Committee, to inform him of his decision.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson to resign as Prime Minister today - live updates, news and reaction
The source said: "The Prime Minister has spoken to Graham Brady and agreed to stand down in time for a new leader to be in place by the conference in October."
More than 50 MPs have resigned from government or party roles since Tuesday night, when the mass exodus was triggered by the resignations of then Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid from the Cabinet.
The pair quit after it emerged Mr Johnson knew of upheld complaints against MP Chris Pincher before promoting him to Deputy Chief Whip, a position where he had responsibility for the welfare of MPs and for investigating allegations of misconduct. Mr Pincher resigned last week after allegedly groping a man in a bar.
Mr Johnson initially claimed he had received no specific information about Mr Pincher's behaviour before appointing him. However retired senior civil servant Sir Simon McDonald released a statement confirming Mr Johnson had been personally briefed on an upheld complaint against Mr Pincher while he was Foreign Secretary.
Even Mr Sunak's replacement, Nadhim Zahawi, turned on his boss the day after being made chancellor, and this morning publicly called on him to resign. Last night it seemed Mr Johnson still sought to defy his critics and carry on in office, despite warnings from Cabinet colleagues that this was not sustainable.
But as resignations continued this morning it became increasingly clear his government would be unable to function.
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