Rishi Sunak on crushing Tory defeat: ‘A sobering verdict… and I take responsibility for the loss’

A rain-drenched Rishi Sunak re-enters No 10 after announcing the election (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

David Lynch, Will Durrant, and Rhiannon James

Rishi Sunak shouldered the burden for a “sobering verdict” at the General Election, as competing Tory factions began their battle over the diminished party’s future.

The outgoing British prime minister said it had been a “difficult night” and apologised to Conservative candidates who had lost their seats, as he held onto his own Richmond and Northallerton constituency.