'No place for a lawbreaker': Boris Johnson roundly attacked in rowdy final PMQs

Watch Boris Johnson's last PMQs in full

Boris Johnson has been told Number 10 is "no place for a lawbreaker" in his final Prime Minister's Questions before handing power over to either Rishi Sunak or Liz Truss.

The outgoing PM's record in Downing Street was roundly attacked by leaders of the SNP, LibDems, and Labour - Sir Keir Starmer repeatedly used criticisms of the government made by Tory leadership hopefuls in TV debates to condemn Mr Johnson.

"They organised the TV debates because they thought it would be a great chance for the public to hear from the candidates first hand, then disaster struck because the public actually heard from the candidates first hand," Sir Keir said.

A Sky News debate scheduled for Tuesday was cancelled after two of the contest's frontrunners - Ms Truss and Mr Sunak - pulled out.

Asked why that had happened, Mr Johnson claimed he had "not [been] following this thing particularly closely" but said whoever won it would “wipe the floor” with Sir Keir, like “some household detergent”.

Sir Keir, acknowledging it would be his final chance to grill Mr Johnson at PMQs, said the relationship between a prime minister and leader of the opposition was “never easy”.

“This one has proved no exception to the rule," he added.

A number of the PM's remarks will raise questions as to whether he is planning a comeback, despite saying at the start of PMQs that it would "certainly" be his last.

Concluding the session, Mr Johnson bid farewell, saying it was "mission largely accomplished for now" and "Hasta la vista, baby".

Asked about the comments, his press secretary did not explicitly deny he may be planning a return to Downing Street as she replied: "That was his way of saying farewell to his colleagues."

Mr Johnson will remain prime minister until September 5, when his replacement is announced, however it will be his last PMQs because MPs break for their summer recess on Thursday, and when they return there will be a new Tory leader.

Opposition parties have been demanding Mr Johnson leave Downing Street sooner and install a caretaker PM but the current leader has refused.

Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey urged the Tory party to call a general election as soon as possible, while SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford thanked Mr Johnson for driving support for Scottish independence to “new heights” with his leadership of the UK.

Citing the Partygate scandal, which saw dozens of government staff fined for breaking Covid laws, Mr Blackford said the PM had been "shameful" and "disgraceful".

He added: “Let us not forget, the prime minister is still under investigation because he can’t be trusted to tell the truth.

“Shameful, disgraceful, and a complete waste of Scotland’s time. This is how the people of Scotland will remember this prime minister.

“Isn’t it the case that the prime minister and his government should have had his last day a long time ago?

“Quite simply, Downing Street is no place for a lawbreaker.”

The PM replied: “The personal abuse stuff, I think he is talking a lot of tosh. When he is retired to his croft, which may be all too soon, I hope he will reflect on his long-running campaign to break up the greatest country in the world.”

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What you need to know about Tory leadership race

Britain's next prime minister will be either Rishi Sunak or Liz Truss, after Penny Mordaunt was eliminated from the Tory leadership race on Wednesday.

Former chancellor Sunak was given support by 137 of his Tory colleagues and Ms Truss received 113 votes, while Penny Mordaunt dropped out after only 105 Conservative MPs backed her.

The two finalists now have over a month of campaigning to Tory party members before the winner is announced on September 5.

Mr Johnson, who has repeatedly called Mr Starmer "Captain Hindsight" at PMQs, said last week that his successor - whoever that may be - will "wipe the floor" with the Labour leader.

"After a few weeks' time, that is exactly what they will do. They will unite around the winner and they will do just that," he said at his penultimate PMQs.