Boris Johnson is appointing a new cabinet despite preparing to quit as prime minister soon as he seeks to stay in place until a new Tory leader is elected. Critics insisted the prime minister should hand over power today after he finally agreed to step down on Thursday morning amid a flurry of more than 50 resignations. Michelle Donelan’s departure as education secretary just 35 hours into the role made her the fifth cabinet minister to quit, while new chancellor Nadhim Zahawi publicly urged Johnson to “do the right thing and go now”, and attorney general Suella Braverman revealed ambitions to replace. him as prime minister. The dramatic collapse in support came after it emerged that Mr Johnson had promoted Chris Pincher to a role responsible for MPs’ welfare despite knowledge of allegations of misconduct against him. Outgoing ministers and Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer were among those insisting Johnson leave Downing Street today, after a No 10 source suggested he would stay on until a new Tory leader is elected in the autumn.

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A lectern erected outside No 10 as the Prime Minister prepared to announce his resignation

The lectern is set up outside Downing Street, with the Prime Minister giving his speech at length. (The Independent) Andy Gregory7 July 2022 12:29 1657192518

Office positions for Clark, Buckland and Cleverly

Boris Johnson has appointed Greg Clark as growth secretary, Robert Buckland as Wales secretary and James Cleverley as education secretary as he desperately tries to fill cabinet vacancies in a bid to stay on as caretaker prime minister until the autumn: Jane Dalton July 7, 2022 12:15 p.m 1657192389

New Northern Ireland Secretary appointed

North West Cambridgeshire MP Shailesh Vara has been appointed Northern Ireland Secretary and Kit Malthouse as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the most senior minister in the Cabinet Office after the Prime Minister. Jane Dalton7 July 2022 12:13 1657191799

The Tories will not “unite” around the prime minister in the event of a confidence vote, Starmer predicts

Sir Keir Starmer has dismissed suggestions the Tories will rally behind Boris Johnson if Labor demands a vote of confidence should he refuse to leave No 10. “If they don’t get rid of him, Labor will step up the national interest and bring a vote of no confidence because we can’t go on with this prime minister hanging around for months and months,” the Labor leader said. he said. Asked if Tory MPs would “unite” behind the man in No 10, Sir Keir argued: “I don’t think anything will unite this particular Conservative party.” Andy Gregory7 July 2022 12:03 1657191538

Greg Clarke, James Cleverley and Robert Buckland appointed to Cabinet posts

Boris Johnson has named Tory MP Greg Clark as his rank and file secretary and James Cleverley as education secretary as he desperately tries to fill cabinet vacancies in a bid to stay on as caretaker prime minister until the autumn. Robert Buckland appointed Secretary of State for Wales: Our political correspondent Adam Forrest has more details here: Andy Gregory7 July 2022 11:58 1657191174

Starmer threatens confidence vote as he warns PM must not be allowed to ‘get stuck’

Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer said Boris Johnson should not be allowed to be “stuck” in No 10 after standing down as Tory leader and threatened to use a Commons confidence motion to oust him. Andy Gregory7 July 2022 11:52 1657190532

The minister says he could return to his post now that Boris Johnson is set to resign

Former technology secretary Chris Phillips has said he would return to government if necessary now that Boris Johnson is set to step down as the leader of the Conservative Party. Mr Philp, who resigned a few hours ago, told Sky News he would not refuse to help the government if it needed to get legislation through the Commons but was not looking for his job back. He said: “I think all of us in public life are here to serve the country and if I could do that in any capacity then obviously I would be happy to serve. “If I was asked to help get the Internet Safety Bill through Parliament, fine, I’d be happy to help in any way I could, in any capacity, whoever the leader was. “I’m not asking for this (his old post). I don’t expect it. I resigned and when you resign, resign.” He also said he had not thought of the best candidate to replace Mr Johnson. Andy Gregory7 July 2022 11:42 1657190184

Breaking: Boris Johnson to appoint new ministers as he seeks to remain as ‘caretaker’ PM

Boris Johnson is expected to make ministerial appointments soon as he seeks to stay in office until a new Tory leader is elected. “The prime minister will soon make new appointments to his cabinet,” a No 10 source said. Our political correspondent Ashley Cowburn has the full story here: Andy Gregory7 July 2022 11:36 1657189678

Watch: Boris Johnson was ‘always demonstrably unfit’ for PM, says Nicola Sturgeon

Even before the last few days, Boris Johnson “wasn’t leading an effective or properly functioning government” – instead he “went from self-imposed crisis to self-imposed crisis”, Nicola Sturgeon suggested. “Boris Johnson has always been in my view clearly unfit for the office of Prime Minister,” said Scotland’s first minister. Sturgeon: Johnson was ‘always demonstrably unfit’ for PM Andy Gregory7 July 2022 11:27 1657189445

Ben Wallace is ‘clear’ front-runner to become next prime minister among Tory MPs, poll finds

Defense Secretary Ben Wallace has emerged as the “clear” favorite to replace Boris Johnson among Tory Party members, according to YouGov. While the poll – conducted on Wednesday and Thursday – suggests Mr Wallace (13) is just one point ahead of Penny Mordaunt (12) and just three ahead of Rishi Sunak (10), he is emerging as the ‘clear winner’ when placed in head-to-head competitions with other pioneers. Mr Wallace storms ahead of the other candidates, as YouGov reports:

Wallace v Sunak: 51% v 30% Wallace v Truss: 48% v 29% Wallace v Mordaunt: 48% v 26% Wallace v Hunt: 58% v 22%

Andy Gregory7 July 2022 11:24