John Rustad has officially resigned as leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia, a day after the party announced he was being removed as leader.

On Wednesday, Rustad said on ‘X’ that he wasn’t going anywhere.

The post has since been deleted and yesterday, he issued a statement that said despite how the decision was made, it was “not a hostile takeover by BC Liberals of the party,” and they are working at charting a new path forward.

Rustad says BC needs a strong and unified opposition that is ready to hold the NDP government to account and defeat it.

Surrey-White Rock MLA Trevor Halford has been named interim leader.

He thanked Rustad for his leadership and stewardship of the Conservative Caucus of BC, noting that he took the party from not having elected an MLA since 1975 to coming within one seat of forming government.

Details on when a new leader will be selected are still being worked out.