The Welsh secretary, Simon Hart, has tendered his resignation, saying there “seems to be no other option”. It comes after Boris Johnson sacked housing secretary Michael Gove just hours after he told the prime minister he should resign. Johnson continues to defy a series of calls from his team to step down, according to a senior ally. A source close to the prime minister told The Independent that he insisted on staying on, even though support for his leadership has collapsed in Westminster and more than 40 ministers and aides have resigned within 24 hours. In a day of high political drama, even Home Secretary Priti Patel, one of Mr Johnson’s staunchest supporters, sided with the Cabinet delegation that went to Downing Street to present their demand for him to resign. The team also included Kwasi Kwarteng, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis. Mr Shapps is believed to have told Johnson he had little chance of winning another confidence vote and should instead set a timetable for a departure on his own terms.

Basic points

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Full story: Suella Braverman says she will continue in role despite calling on PM to step down

The government’s top legal official has called on Boris Johnson to resign after the prime minister suffered a third cabinet resignation over his refusal to stand down, but said he would continue as attorney general. Suella Braverman said Mr Johnson’s handling of the issues had been “pessimistic” in recent days and that “the balance has now tipped in favor of saying that the prime minister – it pains me to say it – but it’s time to go”. Ms Braverman, a former Johnson loyalist, said she would enter a contest to replace him as Tory leader. He also told ITV’s Robert Peston that he wants to replace Mr Johnson as prime minister. Stuti Mishra July 7, 2022 4:33 am 1657159200

Watch: ‘Enough is enough’, says Sajid Javid as he calls on ministers to sack Boris Johnson

“Enough is enough,” says Sajid Javid as he calls on ministers to sack Boris Johnson Emily Atkinson7 July 2022 03:00 1657157400

‘His reign is over’: How foreign media reacted as Boris Johnson hit with resignations

With Boris Johnson struggling to secure his prime ministership after multiple cabinet resignations, foreign media are trying to gauge how much longer the British prime minister will be in power. Some commentators are certain that the latest events are the nail in the coffin for Mr Johnson’s leadership. But others are wary of predicting the downfall of a leader who has miraculously survived multiple scandals and remains resolutely prime minister. “Boris Johnson’s reign is in freefall,” assessed Rob Harris in the Sydney Morning Herald. My colleague Holly Bancroft has more: Emily Atkinson7 July 2022 02:30 1657155600

What are the papers saying this morning as calls for Boris Johnson to resign continue to plague Whitehall? (The Independent) (The New Statesman) (The Daily Mail) (The Telegraph) (The Guardian) (The times) (The mirror) Emily Atkinson7 July 2022 02:00 1657153800

Watch: Johnson says Tories must ‘love each other’ as he faces calls to quit

Johnson says Tories must ‘love each other’ as he faces calls to quit Emily Atkinson7 July 2022 01:30 1657152000

Boris Johnson refuses to resign after dramatic No 10 showdown with cabinet ministers

The prime minister told the delegation he intended to “fight on” despite the extraordinary collapse in support that included more than 40 resignations. He told colleagues he remained “focused on the important issues facing the country”, the Independent said. His refusal to resign led to Welsh Secretary Simon Hart quitting the cabinet hours later and set the stage for further possible departures. Deputy Political Editor Rob Merrick reports: Emily Atkinson7 July 2022 01:00 1657150200

Matt Hancock rules out leadership bid

Former health secretary Matt Hancock has ruled out joining a potential Tory leadership race, but told ITV’s Robert Peston he is “happy to be serving” in government. Emily Atkinson7 July 2022 00:30 1657148400

See: Who could replace Boris Johnson as Prime Minister?

Who could replace Boris Johnson as Prime Minister? Emily Atkinson7 July 2022 00:00 1657147532

Boris Johnson’s Admiralty left with just one paid minister after Gove sacked

After a series of resignations and the sacking of Michael Gove, the head of the department, only one paid minister remained at the Department for Regeneration, Housing and Communities on Wednesday night. Emily Atkinson 6 July 2022 23:45 1657146374

Less than a fifth of MPs support Boris Johnson – reports

Emily Atkinson 6 July 2022 23:26