Boris Johnson to resign as Conservative leader today

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will resign Thursday as Conservative leader, but he will continue in power until autumn, according to the Guardian.

However his decision to stay on in power has triggered backlash from some Tory MPs who want him to go now.

The development comes as New Education Secretary Michelle Donelan and Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis have resigned, piling further pressure on Johnson.

Ministers Helen Whately, Damian Hinds, George Freeman, Guy Opperman, Chris Philp, and James Cartlidge have also stepped down.

A Conservative leadership race will take place soon and a new Prime Minister will be in place in time for the Conservative Party conference in October, the BBC reported.

Following a standoff, Johnson faced huge pressure from his cabinet which culminated in his resigning as the Conservative leader after Nadhim Zahawi, his new chancellor, told him to quit.

More than 50 ministers walked out alleging in Johnson failure of ethics and mishandling of scandals.

Johnson's plan to continue as prime minister until autumn has provoked fury among MPs, according to the Guardian.

With inputs from IANS 

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