India, June 23 -- British Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Keir Starmer on Monday announced his resignation, triggering a leadership contest that will determine his successor in the coming weeks, with a new prime minister expected to be in place before Parliament returns in September.

The 63-year-old said he would remain in office until a new Labour leader is elected and pledged his "full and unequivocal support" to his successor to ensure an orderly transfer of power.

"I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace," an emotional Starmer said during a statement outside 10 Downing Street.

"The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into ...