Cameron resigns as prime minister after Brexit vote

By : Ujunwa Ochulo with agency report

Date: 24 June 2016 9:06am WAT

British Prime Minister David Cameron . / AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS

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British prime minister David Cameron has announced his resignation after Britain voted to exit the European Union.

“The will of the British people is an instruction that must be delivered,” the prime minister said, his voice betraying his sadness.

His resignation will take effect in three months time. He hoped to ‘steady the ship’ before then but noted that he was not capable of leading Britain into the future.

He said, “I do not think it would be right for me to be the captain who steers the country to its next destination.”

He said his successor should trigger the formal process for Britain to leave the European Union.

“I think it’s right that this new prime minister takes the decision about when to trigger Article 50,” Cameron said.

“I would also reassure Brits living in European countries and European citizens living here that there will be no immediate changes in your circumstances,” he said.

Flanked by his wife Samantha, Cameron said he had fought to retain Britain’s membership of the EU “head, heart and soul — I held nothing back”.

But he added: “The British people have made a very clear decision to take a different path and as such, I think the country requires fresh leadership to take it in this direction.”

Britons decided by 52 percent to 48 percent in favour of quitting the EU, a margin of more than one million votes, final results showed.