Boris Johnson resigns as British PM

Boris Johnson said on Thursday he was resigning as Britain's prime minister, bowing to calls from ministerial colleagues and lawmakers in his Conservative Party.

"The process of choosing that new leader should begin now," Johnson said at the door of Number 10 Downing Street.

"And today I have appointed a cabinet to serve, as I will, until a new leader is in place."

Boris Johnson said he was sad to be leaving the best job in the world in a resignation statement on Thursday, and added: "Them's the breaks."

"I know that there will be many people who are relieved and perhaps quite a few who will also be disappointed. And I want you to know how sad I am to be giving up the best job in the world," Johnson said in a speech outside Downing Street.

"But them's the breaks," he added.