UK Prime Minister Liz Truss resigns

A new leader is set to be elected next Friday. Just a month-and-a-half after taking office, British Prime Minister Liz Truss has announced her resignation as leader of the ruling Conservative Party and said a new party leader and prime minister would be selected next week. Liz Truss has resigned as prime minister just 44 days after taking over from Boris Johnson.

She will be the shortest-serving prime minister in British history.

In a statement outside Downing Street, Ms Truss said: "I came into office at a time of significant economic and international instability.

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

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She said she was elected "with a mandate to change this", adding: "We delivered on energy bills."

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

"I have 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've agreed that there will be a leadership election to be completed within the next week."

Ms Truss will remain as PM until her successor has been chosen.