Theresa May’s backbenchers have called time on her premiership and paved the way for a new Prime Minister to be in place by the end of July.

During an emotionally-charged meeting with senior members of the 1922 Committee of Tory MPs, Mrs May was forced to agree to stand down within weeks so the Conservatives can elect a new leader before Parliament’s summer recess.

Mrs May agreed that she will announce the date of her departure after a vote on her Brexit bill in the first week of June, regardless of whether it is passed by MPs.

With the leadership election taking up a minimum of three weeks, it means Mrs May must resign by June 30 at the latest.

The race to succeed her is now effectively underway, with Boris Johnson confirming for the first time on Thursday that he will “go for it”.

Mrs May’s future was decided during an hour-long meeting with the executive of the 1922 Committee, whose chairman, Sir Graham Brady, described “a very frank exchange” between the two sides.

Mrs May was said to have had tears in her eyes as her request for more time was turned down by the MPs, who told her the Party had finally run out of patience with her.

She will meet Sir Graham and Brandon Lewis, the chairman of the Conservative Party, shortly after the Brexit vote, which is expected to be held on June 5. She will then “agree a timetable for the election of a new leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party”, according to a statement released by Sir Graham with her blessing.