As the Prime Minister advised in a statement in Downing Street on 24 May she will stand down as Tory leader today.
At the time Theresa May said : “I will resign as leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party on Friday 7 June so that a successor can be chosen.
“I have agreed with the Party Chairman and with the Chairman of the 1922 Committee that the process for electing a new leader should begin in the following week.
“I have kept Her Majesty the Queen fully informed of my intentions, and I will continue to serve as her Prime Minister until the process has concluded.
“It is, and will always remain, a matter of deep regret to me that I have not been able to deliver Brexit.”
And today she has advised her resignation.
Scottish Secretary David Mundell said: “I am sorry to see Theresa May stand down.
“Having worked closely with her over many years I know how dedicated she was to serving her country. Hardworking, hugely resilient and committed, Mrs May always set herself the very highest standards in public office and expected the same of others. It has been a pleasure and an honour to have worked with her.
“Nobody could have worked harder, or shown a greater sense of public duty, in delivering the result of the EU referendum. In the most challenging of circumstances, she tried time and time again to deliver an orderly Brexit. Above all, I would like to thank her for placing the Union at the very heart of her premiership, and for ensuring Scotland’s voice has been heard throughout the Brexit process.
“The competition to succeed Mrs May is now underway and I am clear that our next Prime Minister must show absolutely unwavering commitment to the Union. He or she must be ready and willing to stand fast against those who would seek to drag Scotland out of the United Kingdom.”
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said: “Theresa May used her time as Tory leader to sow division in a desperate bid to please her own backbenchers.
“But her successor is likely to try and plunge our economy into chaos with a no deal Brexit. This would be disastrous for jobs and worker, consumer and environmental rights and so should be stopped at all costs.
“That’s why Scottish Labour will be unambiguous. We need a confirmatory vote on any Brexit deal with a Remain option on the ballot paper. And we need a strong campaign for Remain which we will help lead.”
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
