‘Guiltless, guileless, graceless’: Boris Johnson’s defiant resignation speech

Boris Johnson has announced he is standing down as British Prime Minister following resignations of more than 50 members of his government.

The embattled politician delivered a speech outside his official Downing Street residence overnight, bowing to calls from ministerial colleagues and lawmakers in his Conservative Party.

He focused on his career achievements but noted he had tried to convince his colleagues in recent days a change of government “would be eccentric”.

“I regret not to have been successful in those arguments, and of course it’s painful not to be able to see through so many ideas and projects myself.

“I want you to know how sad I am to be giving up the best job in the world. But them’s the breaks.”

UK correspondent Adam Gilchrist told Spencer Howson the speech has been met with a mixed reaction.

“There are plenty of MPs saying he’s done the right thing, there’s plenty of others saying, ‘Hang on a moment, that resignation speech of Boris Johnson acknowledged nothing, accepted very little, admitted no guilt, didn’t say sorry, mentioned none of the issues that cost him his job’.

“It was, frankly, guiltless and guileless and graceless. It was not a kindly resignation speech full of integrity and honesty.”

But this doesn’t mean the world’s seen the last of Johnson yet.

With no party colleagues poised to take the top job, the former prime minister will take on a ‘caretaker’ role while the Conservative Party finds a new leader.

“He has resigned it’s just that he’s also staying put for a little bit longer.

Press PLAY below to hear Adam Gilchrist’s full report

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