MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Blair announces June 27 resignation

Tony Blair has announced he will resign as Prime Minister on June 27.

He told an emotional meeting in his constituency "Today I announce my decision to stand down from the leadership of the Labour Party. The party will now select a new leader. "On the 27th of June I will tender my resignation from the post of Prime Minister to the Queen." He was speaking to a packed meeting at Trimdon Labour Club in Sedgefield. Mr Blair began his address to the emotional gathering with tributes to his long-standing agent John Burton and his wife Cherie. Then he said: "I have come back here to Sedgefield, to my constituency, where my political journey began and where it's fitting that it should end."