She has handed in her private resignation letter to the backbench 1922 Committee, two weeks after announcing her intention to leave.

Eleven Conservative MPs are vying to replace her as party leader and, ultimately, prime minister.

The winner of the contest is expected to be announced in the week of 22 July.

Mrs May, who has said it was a matter of deep regret that she had been unable to deliver Brexit, remains acting party leader during the leadership election process.

Meanwhile, the Conservatives fell to third place in the Peterborough by-election, behind winners Labour and the Brexit Party in second place, in what is traditionally a Tory-Labour marginal seat.

Mrs May's time as leader has been dominated by Brexit, with her party divided over the issue, and the failure to get her deal through Parliament.

The UK was originally meant to leave the European Union on 29 March but that was then pushed back to 12 April and eventually 31 October.

When Mrs May announced her resignation, she said it was time for a new prime minister to try to deliver Brexit.

BBC political correspondent Nick Eardley said Mrs May is expected to announce a number of domestic policies before her final departure, with sources saying she is aiming for an announcement a week on issues like the environment and women in the workplace.

On Friday, Mrs May handed in her resignation letter to the 1922 Committee of backbench Conservative MPs. Number 10 said the letter was short and formal.

The committee said it was now inviting nominations from those Conservative MPs "who wish to stand for election as the next party leader".

Leadership nominations close at 17:00 on Monday, a statement said.

BBC

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