Boris Johnson announces resignation

It's been a long few days of controversy and discussion.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced he is to resign as Conservative Party leader.

Speaking outside Downing Street, he said he would remain as caretaker Prime Minister until a successor is appointed.

News of his planned announcement broke this morning after a long series of resignations by Secretaries of State and Ministers since Tuesday evening.

Johnson appointed a series of people to top Ministerial jobs across the morning following the resignations.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis was among those to step down, announcing his resignation at 7am this morning.

Attention here now turns to Johnson’s successor and from an Irish point of view, their stance on Brexit and the Northern Irish Protocol.

There was disquiet among the majority of Northern Irish politicians over the UK Government’s plans to drop aspects of the protocol agreement.

A number of leading Conservative politicians are expected to announce their intention to run for the party leadership and attention is likely to focus on their plans for Brexit and the Protocol.