British PM Johnson to resign after mass resignations

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will resign as Conservative leader on Thursday, but will continue as prime minister until the autumn, British media outlets including the BBC have reported.

A Conservative leadership race will take place this summer and a new prime minister will be in place in time for the Tory party conference in October, reports said.

Johnson's exit comes amid an avalanche of ministerial resignations over his scandal-hit leadership. The number of resignations from his government exceeded 50 by Thursday morning, according to a tally by British media. On Tuesday, Sajid Javid and Rishi Sunak resigned from their posts as health secretary and chancellor of the exchequer, respectively.

Leader of the main opposition Labour Party Keir Starmer said Johnson's imminent resignation is "good news for the country," adding "We need a fresh start for Britain."

The prime minister has been dogged by a seemingly endless string of scandals for months, and the Tories worry the party's future in the next general elections in 2024 is on the line.

Johnson became the first serving British prime minister in history to break the law after receiving a fine from the police for attending a party in 2020 during the country's COVID-19 lockdown.

Though he survived a no-confidence vote recently within his Conservative Party over the so-called Partygate scandal, over 40 percent of his own party voted against him and the forces that want him to go have been gaining momentum following more untoward revelations.

The latest scandal involved Johnson's appointment of lawmaker Christopher Pincher to deputy chief whip despite being informed of formal complaints about his alleged sexual misconduct.