Britain's Boris Johnson said on Tuesday during his departure speech that his successor Liz Truss would do everything to help people cope with sky-rocketing energy prices.

"And I know that Liz Truss and this compassionate Conservative government will do everything we can to get people through this crisis and this country will endure it and we will win," he said, standing in front of the door of his Number 10 Downing Street office and residence.

Johnson, whose tenure was dominated by Brexit and COVID-19 and cut short by scandal, bid farewell amid cheers and applause from supporters before heading for an audience with Queen Elizabeth II.

In a typical rhetorical flourish, he likened himself to "one of those booster rockets that has fulfilled its function" and would splash down "in a remote and obscure corner of the Pacific."

But he promised: "I will be supporting Liz Truss and the new government every step of the way."

He pointedly took aim at those lawmakers in his Conservative Party he blames for forcing his resignation and, almost to prove them wrong, went on to list what he sees as his successes, including an early vaccine program during the coronavirus pandemic and his early support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. 

He also listed "delivering Brexit" as one of his main achievements, although polls now show that a majority of people think leaving the European Union was a mistake.

Johnson's speech was full of the bombast and jokes characteristic of a man once loved by much of the British public but also loathed by many. He has refused to show any remorse over the scandals that brought him down, including "Partygate," a series of boozy gatherings in Downing Street while the country was under COVID-19 lockdown for which he was fined by police.

Having refused to rule out a return to the top job one day, he also indicated he was still bruised by the nature of his departure.

"The torch will finally be passed to a new Conservative leader," he said. "The baton will be handed over in what has unexpectedly turned out to be a relay race. They changed the rules halfway through but never mind that now."

After making the farewell speech outside Downing Street, Johnson left London to travel to Scotland and tender his resignation to Queen Elizabeth.

(With input from Reuters)