Theresa May's turbulent leadership of the Conservative Party will end on June 7, paving the way for a new prime minister to lead the Brexit process.

A tearful Prime Minister said she had "done my best" to get her Withdrawal Agreement through Parliament and take the UK out of the European Union but acknowledged she had failed.

"It is and will always remain a matter of deep regret to me that I have not been able to deliver Brexit," she said in Downing Street.

Watched by husband Philip and her closest aides, an emotional Mrs May said it was in the "best interests of the country for a new prime minister to lead that effort".

Announcing her departure from a job she loved, Mrs May said: "I am today announcing that I will resign as leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party on Friday 7th June so that a successor can be chosen."

Concluding her resignation statement, Mrs May broke down as she said it had been "the honour of my life" to serve "the country that I love".

Boris Johnson, Dominic Raab and Jeremy Hunt are among the front-runners to replace Mrs May and former Middle East Minister Alistair Burt said he could vote for Mr Johnson to take over from Mrs May.

When asked whether he could back Mr Johnson, he said: "The answer to the question for almost all the candidates is yes.

"I would find it very difficult to support a candidate who said it was in Britain's best interest to leave with no deal, leave straight away, WTO...

"I don't expect any candidate really to say that."

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