Boris Johnson resigns latest– live: Tom Tugendhat launches leadership bid after

Conservative MP Will Quince has agreed to return to his old job as children’s minister only one day after resigning in protest at having to defend Boris Johnson over the Chris Pincher scandal:

Read the full story here by Adam Forrest

The United States will continue its “close co-operation” with the UK in the wake of Boris Johnson’s resignation, president Joe Biden said.

In a brief statement, Mr Biden did not mention Mr Johnson by name or refer to his resignation.

But he said his administration would continue to work with the UK government alongside other allies and partners.

“The United Kingdom and the United States are the closest of friends and allies, and the special relationship between our people remains strong and enduring,” Mr Biden said in the statement reported by the ABC network.

“I look forward to continuing our close co-operation with the government of the United Kingdom, as well as our allies and partners around the world, on a range of important priorities.

“That includes maintaining a strong and united approach to supporting the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Putin’s brutal war on their democracy, and holding Russia accountable for its actions.”

Several MPs who attended the Spectator summer party on Thursday night refused to comment on Boris Johnson’s resignation as prime minister.

Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, education secretary James Cleverly, former levelling up secretary Michael Gove – who Mr Johnson sacked on Wednesday – and Cop26 president Alok Sharma ignored reporters when they were asked who the future leader of the Conservatives could be and what they thought about the PM.

Mr Johnson’s sister, journalist Rachel Johnson, also declined to comment as she left the party.

Former health secretary Matt Hancock has said he will not be running in the Conservative leadership election.

He was speaking outside of Spectator magazine’s summer party, where he went outside to meet his partner Gina Coladangelo before heading back in.

At the party, he said Boris Johnson was “of course” the right person to lead the country over the next few months.

He told journalists: “No, I’m not going to stand, but I care deeply that it’s somebody who will deliver for people, and will really make sure that the Conservative Party is there to get through difficult times.”

Boris Johnson’s resignation has sparked questions as to where his career will go as he awaits the election of a new Tory leader to replace him as prime minister.

But in the unlikely event that he runs out of ideas for his next moves, he can draw some inspiration from his predecessors’ post-Downing Street careers.

You can check out my compilation of what former PMs have done after leaving Downing Street here: