Newly-appointed Education Secretary James Cleverly says he backs Boris Johnson to remain as Prime Minister until a new leader is announced.
Mr Johnson announced his resignation as Conservative Party leader on Thursday following mounting pressure to quit.
More than 50 Tory politicians tendered their resignations in the last few days following the Chris Pincher row.
Mr Johnson said his intentions were to stay on as Prime Minister until a permanent successor is found, despite some calling for him to leave immediately.
James Cleverly
GB News
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson
MAJA SMIEJKOWSKA
When asked on GB News’ Breakfast with Stephen and Anne whether Mr Johnson should stay until another Tory leader is confirmed, Mr Cleverly backed the PM.
He said: “Yes, look he’s announced that he is leaving, that has meant that a lot of people who had said that he needed to go and had left the Government now feel comfortable to come back to Government.
“He said that the timescale for his departure will be defined by the 1922 Committee and the party as we go through this process.
“We do need to have a process, that is important but it also needs to be professional and quick.
“And once a successor has been chosen the Prime Minister will stand down and hand over.
“And I think that is the most pragmatic, professional and least disruptive way of doing it.”