It could be months before Boris Johnson is replaced as UK Prime Minister.

The Conservative leader quit on Thursday night, following the dramatic resignations of more than 50 members of his government.

But he plans to stay on as a caretaker prime minister until a successor is chosen, which could take months, due to the leadership voting process of the Conservative Party.

Johnson announced he is standing down with a searing speech outside Downing Street overnight, bowing to calls from ministerial colleagues and lawmakers in his party.

He focused on his career achievements, but noted he had tried to convince his colleagues in recent days a change of government “would be eccentric”.

“I regret not to have been successful in those arguments, and of course it’s painful not to be able to see through so many ideas and projects myself,” he said.

“I want you to know how sad I am to be giving up the best job in the world. But them’s the breaks.”

LISTEN 👇 to UK correspondent Enda Brady dissect the fallout on Breakfast