Varadkar resigns as Irish government enters stalemate

Taoiseach will continue as caretaker leader after inconclusive sitting of Diil iireann

Leo Varadkar has resigned as taoiseach after Ireland's hung parliament entered deadlock over the choice of a new premier.

Varadkar submitted his resignation to Michael D Higgins, the president of Ireland, on Thursday night after a tempestuous but inconclusive sitting of Diil iireann, which met for the first time since the 8 February election. It adjourned until 5 March, giving party leaders three weeks to try to form a ruling coalition.