Boris Johnson, former London mayor, rules out bid to be next British PM

Former London mayor BorisJohnson abruptly pulled out of the race to become Britain's nextprime minister on Thursday, in a shock move that upturned apolitical order shaken by last week's vote to leave the EuropeanUnion.

Johnson, whose support for the campaign to leave the EU waswidely considered one of the decisive factors in the campaign,had been bookmakers' runaway favourite to succeed David Cameron,who quit last week after failing to persuade British voters tostay in the bloc.

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Johnson's unexpected departure from the race, announced justminutes before the party unveiled the list of candidates, showsthe speed with which the political landscape is being reshaped.

"I must tell you, my friends, you who have waited faithfullyfor the punchline of this speech, that having consultedcolleagues and in view of the circumstances in parliament, Ihave concluded that person cannot be me," Johnson said at a newsconference to audible gasps.

Cameron's replacement will face tough talks with the EU tomend a broken relationship balancing a desire to reduceimmigration to Britain while trying to secure the economy bymaintaining access to European markets.

Johnson's departure from the race followed swiftly afteranother leading ally in the pro-Brexit campaign, JusticeSecretary Michael Gove, put himself forward as a candidate,saying he had withdrawn support for Johnson.

Gove will face off against Theresa May, the interiorminister, who campaigned to remain in the EU, as well as othercandidates for the ruling party's leadership.