BORIS Johnson’s wife Carrie joined his supporters outside Downing Street today as the PM quit.
Mrs Johnson carried their daughter Romy in a sling and applauded as Boris addressed the nation this afternoon.
The little one has been seen only rarely since she arrived on December 9.
Her doting parents shared a photo of her with big brother Wilf at Christmas.
However, she was brought along for support today as Mr Johnson told Brits he has decided to step down after facing one of the biggest rebellions in the country’s political history.
And he shared a special word for his wife and children, telling them how grateful he is for their support.
“The reason I have fought so hard in the past two days to continue to deliver our mandate in person is not just because I wanted to do so, but because I felt it was my job, duty, and obligation to you,” he told voters.
“I’ve tried to persuade my colleagues that it was eccentric to change governments when we’re delivering so much.”
He admitted the coup has been “painful”.
“I regret not to be successful in my argument. It is painful not to be able to see through so many ideas and projects myself,” he said.
“I know many will be relieved, and perhaps quite a few disappointed.
“I will say how sad I am to be giving up the best job in the world, but them’s the breaks.”
And he acknowledged how hard it’s been on his family.
“I want to thank Carrie and our children and members of family who had to put up with so much for so long,” he said.
He ended his speech with a note of hope for the future of politics.
“Even if things can sometimes seem dark now, our future together is golden,” Mr Johnson said.
On a dramatic day in Westminster
- Mr Johnson made new Cabinet appointments to fill the slew of vacancies
- Around 55 Tory MPs have now quit as government ministers or aides
- The PM phoned the Queen to tell her he planned to quit
- Suella Braverman became the first Tory to announce a leadership run
- Brexiteer Steve Baker also said he might put his name forward
- Defence Secretary Ben Wallace topped a Tory members poll as the preferred choice
- Leadership contender Liz Truss flew back from the G7 in Bali
Around 35 MPs who had gathered to support him applauded as he stopped speaking.
Mr Johnson told the Queen he planned to stand down earlier today, two years and 348 days since he first entered No10 in 2019.
It comes after his government imploded with 55 resignations and junior ministers refusing to fill the vacant jobs.
Sir Keir Starmer has promised to table a vote of no confidence if Mr Johnson does not leave immediately.
However, Mr Johnson confirmed he will remain in post until a new leader steps up – despite suffering more resignations than any PM over the past 90 years.
BORIS OUT
Elsewhere today, he announced Greg Clark would replace sacked Michael Gove as Levelling Up Minister.
Mr Johnson axed Mr Gove last night after the long-standing minister reportedly begged him to chuck in the towel.
James Cleverley was made Education Secretary after Michelle Donelan resigned this morning after just 36 hours in the job.
Attorney General Suella Braverman announced live on air today that she was not resigning – but wanted to be the next leader.
However, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace is the favourite among Tory members, according to a new poll.
