Keir Starmer resigns as British Prime Minister with Andy Burnham poised to take over

Keir Starmer has announced he will resign as British Prime Minister less than two years after coming to power.

In a statement outside 10 Downing Street, Starmer said his party had asked: “whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election”.

He said: “I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace.”

Starmer’s emotional statement followed a weekend spent mulling his future with his family at Chequers, the British Prime Minister’s country residence.

While his decision remained unclear early on Monday, ministerial allies and Number 10 staff gathered in Downing Street shortly before 9.30am in an indication Starmer was preparing to announce his resignation.

Starmer’s decision to stand down means the British Labour Party will now hold a contest to choose his successor, with Andy Burnham seen as the frontrunner.

The former Greater Manchester mayor is expected to arrive in Westminster to be sworn in as an MP on Monday afternoon after winning the Makerfield by-election.

Former British health secretary Wes Streeting is also expected to put himself forward as a candidate.