Gordon Brown resigns as PM

Gordon Brown has announced that he is resigning as the United Kingdom's Prime Minister.

Mr Brown has officially tender his resignation to the Queen, and recommend edthat Conservative leader David Cameron should succeed him.

Speaking alongside his wife Sarah outside No 10 Downing Street, he said the job had been "a privilege" and wished his successor well.

His decision comes as the Tories and Liberal Democrats are poised to agree a deal to form a government.

E SF Labour's attempts to negotiate a deal of their own with the Lib Dems, after last week's inconclusive election result, ended in failure on Tuesday.

Mr Brown succeeded Tony Blair as prime minister in June 2007 after spending ten years as chancellor of the exchequer.

In an emotional farewell speech outside No 10, Mr Brown said he had "loved the job" and it had been "a privilege to serve".

"I wish the next prime minister well as he makes the important choices for the future," he said.

His two young sons joined him and wife Sarah for his brief statement which ended with the words: "Thank you and goodbye."