Leo Varadkar says he is stepping down as Irish PM in emotional speech – as it happened

• Ireland’s Leo Varadkar, has announced he is standing down as leader of the Fine Gael party and will also step down from his role as prime minister as soon as a replacement is selected by his party.

• The Irish leader’s decision comes after the government’s crushing defeat in a dual referendum.

• His departure also comes only 10 weeks before European parliamentary and local elections and less than a year before Ireland’s next general election.

• “After seven years in office, I don’t feel I’m the best person for that job anymore,” Varadkar said in an emotional speech.

• He also said he would recommend a career in politics, adding however that “politicians are human beings and we have our limitations. We give it everything until we can’t anymore. And then we have to move on.”

• Fianna Fáil’s Micheál Martin, who serves as Ireland’s foreign minister, said following the announcement that he believes governments should finish their full term.

• Mary Lou McDonald, the leader of Sinn Féin, called for a new general election.

• Seán Kelly, leader of Fine Gael in the European parliament, said that he is “both surprised and disappointed” that Varadkar decided to step down, adding that “Leo commands huge respect internationally.”

We are now closing this blog but you can read our report on Leo Varadkar’s shock resignation announcement here.

Rory Carroll

Speculation about reasons for Leo Varadkar’s decision to step down zinged around Dublin but one thing was clear: he had delivered a political blitz that probably would have won the approval of one of his heroes, Otto von Bismarck.

This was not a typical end: despite losing two constitutional referendums earlier this month there was no visible pressure to quit, no evident palace coup intrigues.

But then Varadkar was never a typical Irish politician.

The gay son of an Indian immigrant, a trained medical doctor, and socially awkward, the taoiseach did not fit the traditional Irish political mould – and despite a glamorous international image at home he was never hip, and didn’t claim to be.

Varadkar studied medicine at Trinity College Dublin and joined Fine Gael, a centre-right party. Outspoken about tax cuts and welfare reform, some called him “Tory boy”. In addition to Germany’s Iron Chancellor he revered Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary.

In 2015 he announced he was gay. “It’s not something that defines me,” he told RTÉ. “I’m not a half-Indian politician, or a doctor politician or a gay politician for that matter. It’s just part of who I am.”

Mary Lou McDonald, the leader of Sinn Féin, has called for a new general election in Ireland.

Ben Quinn

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s spokesperson has described Ireland as “vital partner” for the UK, in some of the first reaction from other European capitals.

“The Prime Minister has worked closely with Mr Varadkar and he wishes him well in his next steps,” said the Number 10 spokesman, who said that Britain would work with his successor.

Relations between Varadkar and Sunak have not always been smooth sailing however and the two have clashed over Britain’s plans grant an effective amnesty for those accused of killing or maiming people during the conflict in Northern Ireland.

In a call between the two men, Sunak strongly criticised Varadkar for Ireland’s case against the UK’s legacy act, when they spoke to discuss a breakthrough which restored Northern Ireland’s devolved administration at Stormont.

Lisa O’Carroll

Leo Varadkar’s surprise resignation will inevitably lead to speculation that he has his eye on an EU job.

But in the traditional carve up, all the top jobs have already been assigned to different political groupings and Varadkar’s group – the centre right European People’s Party is already more or less guaranteed the European Commission presidency after its incumbent Ursula von der Leyen announced she was going for a second term.

The socialists are expected to take the president of the European council role with the Renew group of liberal parties, which includes Emmanuel Macron’s party expected to take the chief diplomat role currently occupied by Josep Borrell.

In his statement announcing his resignation, Leo Varadkar said it’s time to move on.

I’ve learned so much about so many things, met so many people who I’d never have got to meet, been to places I would never have seen both home and abroad.

And I am deeply grateful for it – and despite the challenges, would wholeheartedly recommend a career in politics to anyone who’s considering it.

However, politicians are human beings and we have our limitations. We give it everything until we can’t anymore. And then we have to move on.

Varadkar also said he has nothing lined up and no definite plans but he is “really looking forward to having the time to think about them.”

In his statement, Leo Varadkar said “there’s never a right time to resign high office. However, this is as good a time as any.”

He added:

The new taoiseach will have a full two months to prepare for local and European elections, and up to a year before the next general election.

My reasons for stepping down are both personal and political.

I believe this government can be reelected, and I believe my party Fine Gael can gain seats in the next Dáil.

Most of all, I believe the reelection of this three-party government will be the right thing for the future for our country, continuing to take us forward, protecting all that’s been achieved and building on it.

But after careful consideration and some soul searching, I believe that a new taoiseach and a new leader will be better placed than me to achieve that – to renew and strengthen the top team, to refocus our message and policies, and to drive implementation.

And after seven years in office, I don’t feel I’m the best person for that job anymore.

There are loyal colleagues and good friends contesting local and European elections. And I want to give them the best chance possible. And I think they have a better chance under a new leader.