For six minutes and 12 seconds Boris Johnson had international attention as he pushed through his resignation speech, despite the derisory shouts from beyond the Downing Street gates and a boombox that kept playing “Bye, bye Boris, Boris bye, bye”.
At times the imitation Bay City Rollers song managed to drown out the loudspeakers erected by Downing Street, making Mr Johnson’s words difficult to hear.
But both messages were clear. Less than three years into the job, Mr Johnson was finally on his way out.
A well-trodden phrase is that all political careers end in failure. The current prime minister’s certainly did that, unravelling spectacularly.
It was “painful not to be able to see through so many ideas and projects myself,” Mr Johnson said. He had attempted to stay in office but it was the “herd instinct” of Westminster politics that ousted him.
In front of him was a rich cosmopolitan mix of the world’s journalists. From the BBC to CNN, to Iranian television and the Japanese press. A Ukrainian journalist delivered her piece to camera alongside a Russian television presenter, both sides with a strong interest in the British prime minister’s departure; one sad, the other tacitly enjoying the moment.
There were no tears from the prime minister and only mild regret was discernible, displaying the trait for not fully accepting responsibility for his actions that in the end undid him and led to three extraordinary days in British politics.
Mr Johnson’s resilience and denial allowed him to dismiss the bombshells; his chancellor and health secretary resigning on Tuesday evening, more than 30 government resignations on Wednesday, and a further deluge of quitting early on Thursday morning.
He also ignored a delegation of cabinet colleagues urging him to go on Wednesday night, leaving the Tory party baffled, bewildered and angry.
Despite Conservatives and Conservative-supporting newspapers uniting in their desire to remove him, he refused to budge. But then at 7.46am on Thursday it became apparent by the single ticks denoting unread messages on his WhatsApp account that he was no longer monitoring his phone.
The resignations continued to steadily mount until shortly after 9am when Downing Street told the BBC that his resignation would be forthcoming.
The press gathering outside number 10 grew throughout the morning until shortly before 12.30pm a podium appeared, followed by Mr Johnson, who was applauded by his remaining loyalists. His words were defiant, unrepentant and laced with self-pity.
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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has succumbed to a rebellion in his ruling Conservative Party and said he would stand down as leader. Reuters -
Several crises, including sleaze allegations against a Conservative MP, had increased the pressure on Mr Johnson. Tim Hammond / No 10 Downing Street -
More than 50 members of his government, including health secretary Sajid Javid and chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak, have quit. AP -
A new Conservative leader will be selected before a party conference is held in October. AP -
A protester outside Parliament in London. Getty -
Questions are mounting over how much Mr Johnson knew about accusations of misconduct against MP Christopher Pincher. PA -
Nadhim Zahawi leaves No 10 Downing Street after being named as the new Chancellor of the Exchequer. Getty -
Mr Johnson survived an attempt by Tory MPs to oust him in a vote of confidence in June. PA -
Mr Johnson leaves the Houses of Parliament after the vote. Tory MPs voted by 211 to 148 in the secret ballot in Westminster. EPA -
Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers, announcing the result of the vote. PA -
A police officer patrols Downing Street on Monday. The vote of no confidence marked the most serious challenge yet to Mr Johnson's three-year tenure as prime minister. EPA -
A protester holds up an anti-Boris Johnson placard outside parliament in London. EPA -
Boris Johnson reads the long-awaited report by senior civil servant Sue Gray into the Downing Street party scandal. Photo: Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street -
A gathering in the Cabinet Room at No 10 Downing Street on Mr Johnson's birthday. Photo: Cabinet Office -
Mr Johnson during a gathering held while lockdown rules were in force across the UK. Photo: Cabinet Office -
Another gathering at No 10 Downing Street to mark the departure of a special adviser. Photo: Cabinet Office -
Mr Johnson apologises to MPs in the House of Commons in April, having been fined after a police probe for attending a party during coronavirus lockdowns imposed by his own government. AFP -
Mr Johnson was no more than 30 seconds into his speech when the first shout of 'resign' was heard from the opposition benches, followed by 'you’re an embarrassment' and 'just go'. Reuters -
'I take this opportunity on the first available sitting day to repeat my wholehearted apology to the House,' he said, admitting that 'people had a right to expect better of their prime minister'. AFP -
The prime minister, pictured with a birthday cake baked for him by school staff at Bovingdon Primary Academy in Hemel Hempstead, said it ‘didn't occur’ to him that a gathering on June 19, 2020 to mark his 56th birthday broke coronavirus rules. AFP -
Former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, left, was also fined for attending lockdown parties held in and around Downing Street. AFP -
Mr Johnson is the first sitting prime minister to be censured for breaking the law, sparking calls from all sides of parliament, including some in his own party, to step down. Reuters -
A lone protester demonstrates at Downing Street in London. EPA -
Before the war broke out in Ukraine, Mr Johnson appeared vulnerable to the Partygate controversy. He has been praised by some for his response to the conflict. AFP -
Mr Johnson and his wife Carrie applaud health workers outside No 10 Downing Street in May 2020. Getty -
Mr Johnson makes a statement in the House of Commons in January on a report regarding the Downing Street parties during lockdown. Reuters -
A journalist highlights sections of the Sue Gray report. AFP -
Mr Johnson is understood to have been present at six of at least 12 'partygate' events under investigation. One occurred on the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral, at which Queen Elizabeth II had to grieve away from other mourners because of social distancing protocol. Getty
That will not endear him to those MPs stating Mr Johnson is unfit for office and needs to be immediately replaced with an interim prime minister, potentially his deputy, Dominic Raab.
Former prime minister John Major wrote that it was “unwise” and “unsustainable” for Mr Johnson to stay. “For the overall well-being of the country, Mr Johnson should not remain in Downing Street,” he said.
That could be expedited when the timetable for the next election is announced in the coming days by the 1922 Committee, which sets Conservative Party rules.
As a guide, former prime minister Theresa May announced she would step down on May 24, 2019 and Mr Johnson was elected two months later as Conservative leader on July 23.
Given that many MPs are deeply unhappy with Mr Johnson continuing in office for any longer than he has to, the 1922 Committee might speed up the process to find a new leader.
Candidates will need at least eight fellow Conservative MPs to sign their application to make it on to the shortlist. In the first round of voting by all 358 Conservative MPs, those who secure less than 18 votes are eliminated, then a second round will eliminate those with fewer than 36 votes.
The process continues until there are just two candidates left.
In 2019 the ballots took place over seven days. In the final round, Mr Johnson received 160 votes and Jeremy Hunt secured 77, narrowly beating Michael Gove by two votes.
Five weeks later the Tory membership had submitted their votes by postal ballot and Mr Johnson triumphed by 92,000 votes to Mr Hunt’s 46,000.
This time Mr Johnson will be on the sidelines, though he could still try to use his influence in the search for a successor. He will also attempt to run the government, with its hastily assembled cabinet that is still missing dozens of ministerial posts left vacant by resignations.
Both might be beyond the man, who until eight months ago had seemed untouchable as Britain’s leader.
