Leo Varadkar: Irish PM fights back tears announcing his resignation

The Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Leo Varadkar has announced that he will step down before the next general election in the Republic of Ireland. He said he was resigning immediately as party leader.

He announced his decision, for “personal and political reasons”, in an emotional statement.

He said there would inevitably be rumours about the “real reason” he was stepping down, but that he had given it.

“That’s it. I have nothing else lined up or in mind. No definite personal or political plans, but I am looking forward to having the time to think about them”.

Varadkar became Ireland’s youngest taoiseach in 2017 when he became leader of Fine Gael aged 38.