Carrie Johnson and baby Romy support Boris Johnson as he thanks them for ‘so much’ in resignation speech

BORIS Johnson’s wife Carrie joined his supporters outside Downing Street today as the PM quit.

Mrs Johnson carried their daughter Romy in a sling and applauded as he addressed the nation this afternoon.

Carrie Johnson and baby Romy stood outside No10 today to watch Boris step downCredit: Sky News

The couple’s son Wilf was not present for his father’s speechCredit: Sky News

Mr Johnson said he didn’t want to quit – but acknowledged he could no longer continueCredit: Reuters

The politician told Brits he has decided to step down after facing one of the biggest rebellions in the country’s political history.

And he shared a special word for his wife and children.

“The reason I have fought so hard in the past two days to continue to deliver our mandate in person is not just because I wanted to do so, but because I felt it was my job, duty, and obligation to you,” he told voters.

“I’ve tried to persuade my colleagues that it was eccentric to change governments when changing so much.

“We have a vast mandate and we are only a handful of points behind in the polls, even in mid-term.”

He admitted the coup has been “painful”.

“I regret not to be successful in my argument. It is painful not to be able to see through so many ideas and projects myself,” he said.

“I know many will be relieved, and perhaps quite a few disappointed.

“I will say how sad I am to be giving up the best job in the world, but them’s the breaks.

“I want to thank Carrie and our children and members of family who had to put up with so much for so long.”

He ended his speech with a note of hope for the future of politics.

“Even if things can sometimes seem dark now, our future together is golden,” Mr Johnson said.

Around 35 MPs who had gathered to support him applauded as he stopped speaking.

Mr Johnson told the Queen he planned to stand down earlier today, two years and 348 days since he first entered No10 in 2019.

On a dramatic day in Westminster

• Mr Johnson made new Cabinet appointments to fill the slew of vacancies
• Around 55 Tory MPs resigned has now quit as government ministers or aides
• The PM phoned the Queen to tell her he planned to quit
• Suella Braverman became the first Tory to announce a leadership run
• Brexiteer Steve Baker also said he might put his name forward
• Defence Secretary Ben Wallace topped a Tory members poll as the preferred choice
• Leadership contender Liz Truss flew back from the G7 in Bali

It comes after his government imploded with 55 resignations and junior ministers refusing to fill the vacant jobs.

Sir Keir Starmer has promised to table a vote of no confidence if Mr Johnson does not leave immediately.

However, Mr Johnson confirmed he will remain in post until a new leader steps up.

He also announced Greg Clark would replace sacked Michael Gove as Levelling Up Minister.

James Cleverley was made Education Secretary after Michelle Donelan resigned this morning after just 36 hours in the job.

Attorney General Suella Braverman announced live on air today that she was not resigning – but wanted to be the next leader.

However, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace is the favourite among Tory members, according to a new poll.