LONDON - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced in a speech outside 10 Downing Street on Monday that he would resign as leader of the governing Labour Party and set out a timetable for his departure from office.

Starmer said he had heard the answer of Labour lawmakers to the question of whether he was best placed to lead the party into the next general election.

"I accept that answer with good grace," he said.

Starmer said he would remain in office as prime minister until the Labour leadership contest is completed and would "do everything I can to ensure an orderly handover of power."

He added that he would give his successor his "full and unequivocal support."

Starmer said he had asked Labour's National Executive Committee to draw up a timetable for the leadership election, with nominations set to open on July 9.