Rishi Sunak apologises for Tory catastrophe as he quits outside Downing Street

Rishi Sunak has said sorry to the public and his party after leading the Conservatives to the worst election result in their history.

The outgoing Prime Minister announced he would quit as Tory leader once arrangements are in place to choose his successor.

Keir Starmer's Labour trounced the Conservatives in a stunning landslide victory set to give the new incoming government the biggest Commons majority since 1945.

In a statement outside 10 Downing Street, Sunak said: "I will shortly be seeing His Majesty the King to offer my resignation as Prime Minister. To the country, I would like to say first and foremost, I am sorry.

"I have given this job my all, but you have sent a clear signal that the Government of the United Kingdom must change. And yours is the only judgment that matters.

"I have heard your anger, your disappointment, and I take responsibility for this loss."

With 648 of 650 seats declared, Labour had a majority of 176 on 412 seats with the Tories reduced to a rump of 121.

The PM continued: "Following this result I will step down as party leader - not immediately, but once the formal arrangements for selecting my successor are in place.

"It is important that after 14 years in government the Conservative Party rebuilds, but also that it takes up its crucial role in opposition professionally and effectively."

He added: "This is a difficult day at the end of a number of difficult days. But I leave this job honoured to have been your Prime Minister.

"This is the best country in the world. And it is thanks entirely to you, the British people, the true source of all our achievements, our strengths and our greatness."

Sunak leaves his party in a greatly diminished state - having lost hundreds of seats to Labour and the Lib Dems - with another round of Tory infighting looming as they pick their sixth leader in eight years.

After his speech, the Tory chief travelled by car with his wife Akshata Murty to Buckingham Palace to meet the King and resign as Prime Minister.

Later, Starmer will meet King Charles to formally be granted permission to form a government.

A statement from Buckingham Palace said: “The Right Honourable Rishi Sunak MP had an audience of The King this morning and tendered his resignation as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, which His Majesty was graciously pleased to accept.”

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