"I take responsibility for this loss.”
While announcing his resignation as Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak said he accepted responsibility for the Conservative Party’s huge loss.
The Tories are on course for their worst result in history, losing 250 seats.
Outside Downing Street, Mr Sunak apologised as he said:
“I will shortly be seeing His Majesty the King to offer my resignation as Prime Minister.
“To the country, I would like to say first and foremost, I am sorry.
“I have given this job my all, but you have sent a clear signal that the Government of the United Kingdom must change. And yours is the only judgment that matters.
“I have heard your anger, your disappointment, and I take responsibility for this loss.”
He will also resign as Tory leader but only after arrangements for a successor are made.
Mr Sunak thanked his family for the “sacrifices they have made” during his time as PM.
Delivering his final statement as Prime Minister on Downing Street, he said:
“I’d like to thank my colleagues, my Cabinet, the Civil Service, especially here in Downing Street. The team at Chequers, my staff, CCHQ.
“But, most of all, I’d like to express my gratitude to my wife Akshata and our beautiful daughters.
“I can never thank them enough for the sacrifices they have made so that I might serve our country.”
Rishi Sunak also praised incoming Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as a “decent, public-spirited man who I respect”.
Mr Sunak said he was “proud” of his achievements and believes the UK is “more prosperous, fairer and resilient than it was in 2010”.
The Prime Minister cited the negotiation of the Windsor Framework and efforts to support Ukraine during his premiership.
He said: “I’m proud of those achievements. I believe this country is safer, stronger and more secure than it was 20 months ago.
“It is more prosperous, fairer and resilient than it was in 2010.”
Mr Sunak reflected on his family and Indian heritage as he concluded his speech:
“One of the most remarkable things about Britain is just how unremarkable it is that two generations after my grandparents came here with little, I could become Prime Minister.
“And that I could watch my two young daughters light Diwali candles on the steps in Downing Street.”
“We must hold true to that idea of who we are. That vision of kindness, decency and tolerance that has always been the British way.
“This is a difficult day at the end of a number of difficult days. But I leave this job honoured to have been your Prime Minister.
“This is the best country in the world. And it is thanks entirely to you, the British people, the true source of all our achievements, our strengths and our greatness.
“Thank you.”
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