Keir Starmer announces his resignation as UK PM

Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as the United Kingdom's prime minister and leader of the Labour Party, bringing an end to his tenure at Downing Street amid mounting political pressure.

According to a report by the BBC, Starmer confirmed his decision in a statement delivered outside 10 Downing Street, where he reflected on his time in office and thanked his family for their support.

"Every decision I have made in office has been about 'putting the country I love first'," he said while speaking to reporters.

Starmer became British prime minister in 2024 following his party's landslide victory in a parliamentary election.

The 63-year-old entered power with one of the longest lists of problems ever to face an incoming leader and few resources to deal with them.

The former lawyer turned to politics in his 50s in a career that has been marked by a cautious and methodical approach.

As a barrister, he often defended underdogs and worked to get people off death row around the world.

He became a Labour lawmaker in 2015, a year after he received a knighthood for his services to law and criminal justice.

Starmer was appointed Labour leader in 2020 following the party's worst election showing since 1935.

Starmer says new leader will be in place by September

Under Britain's parliamentary system of government, whoever leads the party that has a majority in parliament is the country's prime minister.

Starmer's Labour Party currently has a large majority.

The process to replace him as prime minister must therefore start with Labour replacing him as leader.

Starmer said he would ask Labour to set out a timetable for a leadership change, and nominations for candidates would open on 9 July.

He said he will remain in his post until the contest was complete, and will do everything he can to ensure an orderly handover.

Starmer said he expected the new leader and prime minister to be in place by the time parliament returns for its autumn session in September.