Boris Johnson has resigned: What happens now?
Boris Johnson has resigned as prime minister after facing an avalanche of ministerial resignations in the past two days.
Less than a month on from surviving a leadership challenge, the PM's premiership has come to an end after senior ministers were among those to quit the government in protest at Downing Street's handling of a series of recent scandals.
But now that he has announced his departure at Downing Street, how will a leadership election to replace him work?
Politics Hub: Reaction as Boris Johnson to quit - live updates
The 1922 Committee of backbench Conservative MPs will set the timetable next week for the contest.
Mr Johnson has said he will stay in post until a new leader of the Conservative Party is elected.
However, because the process could take several weeks and the Conservative Party still have a majority government, the cabinet could nominate an interim PM before the party holds a proper leadership contest to choose a permanent successor to Mr Johnson.
Current Deputy PM Dominic Raab or new chancellor Nadhim Zahawi could be among those in the frame.
To take part in the race, a Tory MP has to be nominated by eight colleagues.
If more than two MPs put themselves forward and secure enough nominations to run for leader, a series of secret ballots will be held to whittle them down.
The individual who receives the fewest number of votes will be eliminated after every round until two candidates remain.
When just two MPs are left in the race, party members get to make their final choice before a deadline set by the 1922 Committee.
The winner will become Conservative Party leader and PM.
Who are the frontrunners to be the next prime minister?
Assuming the new leader was able to command the confidence of the House of Commons, they would not be required to call a general election.
However, a new leader could choose to call an election if they wanted to secure their own mandate.
