Liz Truss quits as UK PM, Conservative Party leader

KABUL (Pajhwok): British Prime Minister Liz Truss has resigned, saying she could not deliver the mandate on which she was elected.

She has also stood down as leader of the Conservative Party, Liz Truss said in a statement outside Downing Street on Thursday.

Having notified the King of her decision to quit resigning, she said Conservative leadership election will be held within the next week.

The BBC quoted Truss — the shortest-serving premier in UK history — as saying: “I will remain as prime minister until a successor has been chosen.”

Since the mini-budget she unveiled last month, the outgoing prime minister left her office after 45 days. Rattling markets, the mini-budget was upturned by her new chancellor.

“Given the situation, I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative Party. I have therefore spoken to the King to notify him that I am resigning as leader of the Conservative Party.”

Truss added she and 1922 Committee Sir Chairman Graham Brady had agreed on completing a leadership election within the next week.

Prime Minister Liz Truss walks out of No.10 Downing St. to announce her resignation on Thursday in London.

Her resignation comes after weeks of criticism from the opposition as well as members of her own Conservative Party and the resignation of two of her Cabinet picks.

PAN Monitor/mud