Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson is set to step down as prime minister today after a fatal onslaught of resignations in protest over his leadership.

New education secretary Michelle Donelan became the fifth Cabinet minister to tender their resignation after accepting the role on Tuesday night, with Mr Johnson’s new chancellor Nadhim Zahawi also publicly urged him to “do the right thing and go now”.

The collapse in Cabinet support came after it emerged Mr Johnson promoted Tory MP Chris Pincher despite knowledge of misconduct claims against him.

But an ally of Mr Johnson claimed on Wednesday night he had vowed to “fight on”, as the PM sacked housing secretary Michael Gove for calling on him to step down. Attorney general Suella Braverman did the same, also revealing ambitions to replace him as PM – but remains in post.