Boris pledges “fervent” support for new PM Truss in farewell speech
"This is it folks", he said.
Last updated 6th Sep 2022
The outgoing Prime Minister says he backs Liz Truss, ahead of her formal takeover of the No 10 keys at Balmoral today (Tuesday).
In his farewell speech to a packed out Downing Street, Boris Johnson said the winner of the Conservative Party leadership contest will do “everything we can” to support those struggling amid the cost-of-living crisis.
The PM-to-be is thought to be drawing up £100billion plans for a bill freeze to ease the squeeze.
Mr Johnson eventually stepped aside after mounting pressure over the party-gate scandal, which involved multiple alleged lockdown breaking parties at Downing Street, and another row over the promotion of an MP who had sexual misconduct allegations which were said to have backdated his appointment as deputy chief whip.
He did not make any apology for the chaotic few months, but did make reference to it, saying "the baton will be handed over in what has unexpectedly turned out to be a relay race".
He also used his speech to blame Vladimir Putin for the soaring costs, by "blackmailing and bullying".
Mr Johnson said: "We have and will continue to have that economic strength to give people the cash they need to get through this energy crisis that has been caused by Putin's vicious war.
"I know that Liz Truss and this compassionate Conservative government will do everything we can to get people through this crisis and this country will endure it and we will win."
Mr Johnson left Downing Street to head to Balmoral for an audience with the Queen at which he will formally resign, with Ms Truss expected to have her own meeting with the monarch shortly after to take over the PM position.
As well as her speech in Downing Street she will begin putting in place her team of ministers, with key allies and supporters already pencilled in for some of the most senior roles, including Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng who is widely expected to be given the crucial role of chancellor.
"Thank you Boris"
A video appeared on the No 10 Twitter, thanking Mr Johnson for his service.
"Country in worse state" than before
Reacting to the speech, a former director of communications at No 10 has said that Boris Johnson has left the country in a "worse state" than it was when he took over as prime minister.
Alistair Campbell told Sky News that Mr Johnson has arrived in Downing Street as a "liar and fantasist" and was "leaving it as a liar and a fantasist" too.
He said: "The disconnect between the country that he was describing and the country that he has actually helped to preside over was enormous."
Mr Campbell went on to say Mr Johnson's "big claim" about getting Brexit done was proving to be "something of a catastrophe" in Northern Ireland.
"The country is in a worse state than it was when he took over. You can't get a passport. You can't get driving test. You've got industrial action and all the stuff that's happening.
"I accept that it was very difficult. The war in Ukraine was very difficult. But these are things that prime ministers have to deal with. That is their job."
Mr Campbell said what the country had seen from Mr Johnson was a "systematic debasing of our standards in public life" and "the debasing of the office".
He added: "Not a hint of humility or contrition as he left."
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