Sajid Javid says he will ‘never risk losing integrity’ during PMQs resignation speech
Wales secretary Simon Hart has tendered his resignation, saying there seems “no other option left”.
It comes after housing secretary Michael Gove was sacked by Boris Johnson just hours after he told the prime minister he should step down.
Mr Johnson continues to defy a chorus of calls from his own team to resign, according to a senior ally.
A source close to the prime minister told The Independent he was insisting on staying, even though support for his leadership has collapsed at Westminster, and more than 40 ministers and aides have resigned in 24 hours.
In a day of high political drama, even home secretary Priti Patel, one of Mr Johnson’s most staunch supporters, sided with the Cabinet delegation that went to Downing Street to present him with their demand he quit.
The group also included Kwasi Kwarteng, transport secretary Grant Shapps and Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis.
Mr Shapps is thought to have told Mr Johnson he stood little chance of winning another confidence vote and should instead set out a timetable for a departure on his own terms.
Watch: ‘Enough is enough’, says Sajid Javid as he calls on ministers to oust Boris Johnson
‘His reign is over’: How foreign media reacted as Boris Johnson was hit by resignations
With Boris Johnson battling to sure up his premiership after multiple ministerial resignations, foreign media are trying to assess how much longer the British PM will be in power.
Some commentators are certain that the latest events are the nail in the coffin for Mr Johnson’s leadership. However, others are wary of predicting the fall of a leader who has miraculously survived multiple scandals and determinedly clung on as prime minister.
“Boris Johnson’s reign is in free-fall”, was the assessment of Rob Harris in the Sydney Morning Herald.
My colleague Holly Bancroft has more:
Watch: Johnson says Tories need to ‘love each other’ as he faces calls to quit
Boris Johnson refuses to resign after dramatic No 10 confrontation with cabinet ministers
The prime minister told the delegation he plans to “fight on” despite an extraordinary collapse in support that included more than 40 resignations.
He told colleagues he remains “focused on the important issues facing the country”, The Independent was told. His refusal to resign led to Welsh secretary Simon Hart quitting cabinet hours later and set the scene for further likely walkouts to come.
Our deputy political editor Rob Merrick reports:
Matt Hancock rules out leadership bid
Former health secretary Matt Hancock has ruled out running in a potential Tory leadership race, but told ITV’s Robert Peston that he is “happy to serve” in government.
Watch: Who could replace Boris Johnson in the role of prime minister?
Boris Johnson’s flagship levelling up department left with only one paid minister after Gove sacked
Following a string of resignations and the sacking of Michael Gove, the head of the department, only one paid minister remained at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on Wednesday night.
Liam James reports:
Less than a fifth of MPs support Boris Johnson – reports
Suella Braverman says she will run in Tory leadership race
Attorney General Suella Braverman, who has previously been a Boris Johnson loyalist, has said it is time for the PM “to go”.
She has also told ITV’s Robert Peston that she wants to replace Mr Johnson as PM.