Race to replace Justin Welby to begin as archbishop prepares to step down

Justin Welby apologised for a jocular speech about his resignation in the House of Lords. Photograph: House of Commons/PA

Justin Welby will relinquish his role as archbishop of Canterbury at midnight on Monday, formally starting the firing gun in the search for a new de facto leader of the Church of England and the global Anglican church.

The process is expected to take months, with the name of the new archbishop unlikely to be announced until the autumn.