There will be a new UK prime minister by the end of July after a tearful Theresa May committed to passing on the reigns following a troublesome premiership.

The PM was finally forced to set a date for her inevitable departure from Number 10 and she revealed her turbulent tenure will end on June 7.

Several prominent Tory MPs have already thrown their hat into the ring to become next party leader and the contest to replace Mrs May is likely to be brutal.

Big names including favourite Boris Johnson and outsider Jeremy Hunt have already confirmed they intend to run but the final list of contenders is likely to be lengthy.

In an emotional Downing Street statement, Mrs May said it was in the "best interests of the country" for a new prime minister to lead efforts to deliver Brexit.

She struggled to fight back the tears as she said it had been "the honour of my life" to serve "the country that I love".

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