The London Evening Standard led the way with news of the Prime Minister’s resignation last night by splashing on the story several hours before it was officially confirmed.

As talks between Labour and the Lib Dems fell apart yesterday afternoon, the Standard accurately reported that he would quit to make way for David Cameron.

Political editor Joe Murphy wrote: “Gordon Brown is set to resign tonight and allow David Cameron to be Britain’s new Prime Minister.

“The Labour leader’s final desperate attempt to cling on to power with a Lib-Lab deal crumbled amid a rebellion on his own side and policy disagreements with Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg.”

At first, the Standard scoop was officially denied by Downing Street officials.

But Mr Brown later made his way to the Palace to hand in his resignation to the Queen, bringing to an end five days of political uncertainty following the inconclusive result of last Thursday’s general election.