LIZ Truss has announced that she is resigning as prime minister after just six weeks in the role.

It comes after the chair of the 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady entered No 10 for a crisis meeting with the prime minister, followed by party chair Jake Berry earlier today (October 20).

The resignation is triggering a fresh Tory leadership contest which will be concluded ‘within the next week’. 

Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, she said: "I recognise though that given the situation, I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative Party. 

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

"This will ensure that we remain on a path to deliver our fiscal plans and maintain our countries economic stability and national security. I will remain as Prime Minister until a successor has been chosen."  

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This story was written by Gee Harland. She joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.

Gee covers Wallingford, Wantage and Didcot.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @Geeharland

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