Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has resigned as Irish Prime Minister.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has resigned as Irish Prime Minister.

He will resign as Fine Gael leader with immediate effect and Taoiseach will step down after the Easter break when a replacement is chosen.

Speaking outside, Varadkar said he had done "some soul-searching" and that "now is the time for him" to step down.

Varadkar said his reasons were personal and political but he did not feel he was the best person to lead the country and the party.

He said that he has faith that his colleagues can continue his work.

First elected in June 2017, Varadkar was a member of Fingal County Council from 2003 to 2007, and was elected for the Dublin West constituency in Dáil Eireann in 2007 and was re-elected for a fourth term in 2020..

Media gathering at Govt Buildings - ahead of significant announcement by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar @rtenews pic.twitter.com/eCLVWYSewE

— Paul Cunningham (@RTENewsPaulC) March 20, 2024