Liz Truss has this afternoon announced that she will be stepping down as Prime Minister after a chaotic six weeks in the top job.
The resignation makes her the UK's shortest-serving Prime Minister to have ever held residence at no.10 Downing Street, having spent just 44 days in office.
Speaking outside her official residence in a live televised speech, Ms Truss said that she could no longer continue on the mandate that she had been elected to carry out and therefore would be stepping down.
Blaming turbulent economic conditions for the trouble her government has run into, she said in her resignation speech: "I came into office at a time of great economic and international instability.
"Families and businesses we worried about how to pay their bills. Putin's illegal war in Ukraine threatens the security of our whole continent. And our country has been held back for too long by low economic growth.
"I was elected by the Conservative party with a mandate to change this. We delivered on energy bills and on cutting national insurance, and we set out a vision for a low tax, high growth economy that would take advantage of the freedoms of Brexit.
"I recognise though, 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."
Her resignation follows the sudden resignation of Home Secretary Suella Braverman last night, and a disorderly fracking vote in the House of Commons last night that allegedly saw some Conservative MPs manhandled into the voting chamber.
Earlier today, Sir Graham Brady, Chairman of the 1922 Committee, was seen visiting the PM earlier today, reports The Manc.
Following the PM's resignation, a new leadership contest will now take place within the Conservative party next week, with Liz Truss staying in post as the Prime Minister until then.
The news follows a turbulent six weeks that saw Truss oversee an unfunded and calamitous 'mini budget', which wreaked havoc on the UK economy and ultimately led the PM to sack her Chancellor.
More to follow...
UK News
Yorkshire-set Christmas film by Leeds director starring Richard E. Grant set to hit UK cinemas next month
A brand-new Christmas film is hitting cinemas nationwide next month - and it’s a proper Leeds success story.
Jack Spring directed his first feature film at just 19 years old and has spent the last decade carving out a career in independent film, as well as co-founding Leeds-based production company Shush Films.
His first movie, Destination: Dewsbury, was shot just down the road in - you guessed it - Dewsbury. And after moving to Leeds from Grimsby, Jack became determined to build his business from the city, putting down roots and growing his production company here.
Image: Supplied
Now, after years of working on independent projects, Jack has taken his biggest leap yet with a brand-new Christmas film, Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint.
Set in Yorkshire, Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint follows Aubrey Flint, a reclusive model soldier painter with a lifelong hatred of Christmas, who is sentenced to community service at Willow Lodge - a retirement home on the brink of closure.
Roped into helping with a chaotic production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Aubrey clashes with its interesting set of residents...
And the cast is about as star-studded as it gets, featuring Richard E. Grant, John Bradley, Celia Imrie, Adjoa Andoh, Sophia Di Martino, Adrian Rawlins and Kiell Smith-Bynoe.
Image: Supplied
The heartwarming festive comedy will hit cinemas nationwide on Friday 6 November - a huge milestone for a Leeds-based director and production company, taking a homegrown Yorkshire story to audiences across the country.
You just can't beat a proper wholesome British Christmas film, so you can best believe we'll be watching in the cinema, popcorn in hand.
The tallest building in Yorkshire has just opened in Leeds standing at 440ft tall and 45 storeys high
Clementine Hall
Leeds is now home to the tallest building in Yorkshire.
And you'll never believe what it is...it's student accommodation of course.
Created by Fusion Students, the new 633 bed student accommodation building on Merrion Way stands at 134 metres (440 feet) and 45 storeys high, making it Yorkshire’s tallest building, as well as the world’s tallest student only accommodation building.
Boasting jaw dropping, panoramic views of the city, these aren't just your average student flats.
There's a roof terrace, private dining rooms, games room, gym, you name it - they've got it.
Image: Supplied
Lindsay Hamilton, general manager of Fusion Students Leeds said: “I honestly wish I could go back to being a student just so I could live here. It’s such an incredible space, with so much to offer residents.
“You can see how excited they are when they come for a tour, but what’s been really lovely is seeing how much they actually use and benefit from the space once they move in. It’s much more than just somewhere to live, it’s a space that really supports them.”
Image: Supplied
Speaking about the new opening, Laura Kurt, Managing Director for Fusion Students said: “Whilst we’re thrilled to have the accolades of tallest PBSA building and Yorkshire’s tallest building, what we’re really proud about is the incredible building we’ve been able to create for students coming to study in Leeds.
"This is a very special building, carefully designed to provide everything students need to get the most out of their journey through higher education. From industry leading amenities such as recording and photography studios, to wrap around care and support, to make settling into a new city, making friends and leaving with the best outcomes possible, that’s really what Fusion Students Leeds is all about."
Georgina Pellant -
20th October 2022 
