Boris Johnson 'sad' to quit as British prime minister: 'But them's the breaks'

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who as recently as yesterday was said to be defiantly clinging to his job, has officially announced his resignation.

In a speech Thursday, Johnson said he will resign as British prime minister, though he plans to stay in office until a replacement is chosen. "The timetable will be announced next week," he said, despite facing calls to leave office immediately. He also resigned as leader of the Conservative Party and appointed a Cabinet to serve with him "until a new leader is in place."

The British prime minister had for months faced calls to resign in the wake of a scandal surrounding parties held at 10 Downing Street in violation of COVID-19 lockdowns, and a wave of officials quit Johnson's government this week. He survived a close no-confidence vote in June.

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In his resignation speech, Johnson touted his accomplishments in office and said he tried and failed to convince his colleagues that it "would be eccentric to change governments" right now, adding that it's become clear that "no one is remotely indispensable" in politics. He also vowed to provide "as much support as I can" to his replacement.

"I want you to know how sad I am to be giving up the best job in the world," Johnson said. "But them's the breaks."

Johnson's remarks received mixed reactions. "This was not a great speech," CNN's Christiane Amanpour said. "Clearly, he had not prepared anything."