Liz Truss resigns: Prime Minister sensationally quits on steps of Number 10 – read full speech

Liz Truss on Thursday said she was quitting as Prime Minister after just 44 days in office.

An expedited leadership race, to take place within a week, will install a new Tory Prime Minister – their third in a year.

After meeting with Sir Graham Brady in Number 10 for more than an hour Liz Truss told the country she had spoken to the King and was resigning.

Here is her full speech:

“I came into office at a time of great economic and international instability.

“Families and businesses were worried about how to pay their bills.

“Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine threatens the security of our whole continent. And our country has been held back for too long by low economic growth.

“I was elected by the Conservative Party with a mandate to change this – we delivered on energy bills and on cutting national insurance.

“And we set out a vision for a low-tax, high-growth economy that would take advantage of the freedoms of Brexit.

“I recognise though, given the situation, I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative Party.

“I have therefore spoken to His Majesty the King to notify him that I am resigning as leader of the Conservative Party.

“This morning I met the chairman of the 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady. We have agreed that there will be a leadership election to be completed within the next week.

“This will ensure that we remain on a path to deliver our fiscal plans and maintain our country’s economic stability and national security.

“I will remain as Prime Minister until a successor has been chosen. Thank you.”