The lettuce has won... after a mere 44 days in 'charge', Liz Truss has just announced that she's stepping down as British Prime Minister. She'll remain in situ for the next week during what will be an accelerated process to appoint her successor. It appears that the 1922 Committee will be changing party rules to allow MPs to pick the new PM as opposed to the Conservative Party membership. The newly appointed Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has quickly ruled himself out of the running with Rishi Sunak the early odds-on bookies' favourite.

Among the first to react on this side of the Irish Sea is Fianna Fáil Dublin North West TD, Paul McAuliffe, who expanding on the vegetable theme messages: "Definition - Lettuce'd. A term used to describe the process where by a prime minister is removed from office by their own actions over a number of days."

On a more serious note, Sinn Féin's West Belfast MP Órfhlaith Begley says: "Whoever replaces Liz Truss will have no mandate in Ireland and will never serve the interests of the Irish people. It’s time to set a date for a referendum on Irish unity."

"I noted the smile in her eyes on the words 'I am resigning'," tweets Dublin-residing Waterboy Mike Scott. "Whether a nervous acknowledgement that these are the words everyone expected, or an expression of relief, we will never know. But a great day for the lettuce which did indeed outlast this pretendy PM."

Needless to say, Jedward have pitched in with a "Liz truss is no longer prime minister byeeeee" tweet, adding that, "After 12 years of Tory fuckery the people deserve a general election!"

"Unbelievable – yet believable," says Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie.

Ash's Rick McMurray has this to say:

I'm getting the words Anti Democratic Bunch of Theives and Sex Pests https://t.co/z6lXl6KAre

— UniOnionRick (@onionrick) October 20, 2022

Here are some of the other reactions to the big Downing Street news:

“Just look what it means to them!” pic.twitter.com/OgfLvhf4sb

— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) October 20, 2022

#generalelectionnow

— Mike Scott (@MickPuck) October 20, 2022

Whoever came up with the lettuce stunt in The @dailystar needs a raise. 🥬 You can spend all the money ya like on marketing, but it’s the simplest and daftest things that work! #LizTrussPM

— Mike Hogan (@mikehoganmedia) October 20, 2022

Brian Clough lasted 44 days at Leeds before getting sacked. He went on to win two European cups with Nottingham Forrest.

Liz Truss lasted 44 days as PM… and Forest are going to need a new manger…

You heard it here first…#lufc @SkySportsNews @NFFC #UCL #LizTrussPM

— Niall McNamee (@NiallMcNamee) October 20, 2022

RIP to the Institute of Economic Affairs, RIP the Adam Smith Institute, RIP Truss economics, RIP the ERG, RIP Britannia Unchained and hopefully very soon RIP Brexit.

— Deirdre Heenan (@deirdreheenan) October 20, 2022

They’re just making it up as they go along now

— Eleanor Tiernan (@eleanortiernan) October 20, 2022

I’m terrified I’ll be re-routed through Heathrow, and accidentally be appointed UK prime minister.

— Philip Nolan (@philipnolan1) October 20, 2022

The lettuce won.

— aoife moore. (@aoifegracemoore) October 20, 2022

If I was in the Irish cabinet I'd be releasing a statement with all dirty laundry that might be unearthed about now.

Every affair, every secret child, every bare-knuckle bout with a pensioner, every funding package stolen, every brothel frequented, every racist tirade, the lot.

— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) October 20, 2022

We should not forget, at this time, the wisdom and formidable political insight of Arlene Foster about #LizTrussPM #LiztrussResign @BelfastAgmt @Cass_maitias @KevinHIpoet1967 https://t.co/U2wT2AvaXM

— Kernan Andrews (@KernanAndrews) October 20, 2022

So, the UK are going through Prime Ministers like we go through beer specials...... And on that note, deets of our 3 Christmas releases coming very soon :)

— Third Barrel Brewing (@ThirdBarrelbrew) October 20, 2022