Shortly after 12.30pm, the prime minister came out of 10 Downing Street to the lectern to make a statement announcing his resignation as Conservative party leader.
Johnson said it was 'clearly now the will of the parliamentary party' for there to be a new PM.
The timetable for choosing a new PM will be announced next week
It was reported earlier that the prime minister spoke to Sir Graham Brady earlier this morning, chair of the Conservative backbench 1922 Committee, and agreed to stand down.
A Conservative leadership race will take place this summer before the Tory party conference in October.
In the last hour, Johnson has appointed James Cleverly as the third education secretary in two days, following the resignation of Michelle Donelan – who was only appointed as education secretary on Tuesday – this morning.
More than 50 ministers and parliamentary aides have resigned since Tuesday.
The numbers also include three ministers in the Department for Education, Will Quince, the children and families minister, closely followed by schools minister Robin Walker, and later in the day by Alex Burghart, the skills minister.
This morning, Donelan is also understood to have urged him to go.
Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi – who was also only appointed on Tuesday - told the prime minister he should ‘go now’ this morning.
Michelle Donelan's resignation letter
