Boris Johnson has delivered his final speech as Prime Minister ahead of Liz Truss officially taking over this afternoon.

The outgoing PM stepped out in Downing Street this morning (September 6) as the world media and crowds of his staff and supporters stood behind him.

Johnson said: “This is it folks. Thank you everybody for coming out so early this morning. In only a couple of hours I will be in Balmoral to see Her Majesty the Queen and the torch will finally be passed to a new Conservative leader.

Read more: LIVE: Boris Johnson delivers final speech before Liz Truss becomes PM

“The baton will be handed over in what has unexpectedly turned out to be a relay race. They changed the rules halfway through, but never mind that now.”

The PM backed Liz Truss, throwing his support behind the new leader and calling for the Tory party to reunite after a bitter leadership election.

Boris Johnson added: “It’s time for politics to be over folks. It’s time for us to get behind Liz Truss.”

The Northern Echo: Boris Johnson said if his dog Dilyn and Larry the cat can “put behind them their occasional difficulties”, then so can the Tory party. Picture: PABoris Johnson said if his dog Dilyn and Larry the cat can “put behind them their occasional difficulties”, then so can the Tory party. Picture: PA

He will now head to Balmoral to meet with the Queen and formally resign as Prime Minister before Liz Truss

Recalling his time in office the PM celebrated the success of the vaccine rollout and listed some of his achievements.

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He continued: “The people who got Brexit done. The people who delivered the fastest vaccine rollout in Europe, and never forget 70% of the entire population got a dose within six months – faster than any comparable country. That is government for you. That’s this Conservative government.”

But the now-former Tory leader admitted tough times could be ahead saying: "This is a tough time for the economy. This is a tough time for families up and down the country.

"We can and we will get through it."

Tory MPs who had gathered to watch Boris Johnson’s farewell speech at Downing Street broke into cheers as finished speaking.

The Northern Echo: Staff and supporters watched as the PM departed Downing Street. Picture: PAStaff and supporters watched as the PM departed Downing Street. Picture: PA

The PM was forced to stand down in July after swathes of his own MPs resigned from his cabinet following a series of scandals.

Liz Truss was announced as the winner of the Tory leadership election yesterday with 57% of the votes, beating North Yorkshire MP Rishi Sunak.

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