Gordon Brown's last moments inside No 10 – exclusive pictures

A hunched Gordon Brown (back right), Labour ministers and advisers including Alastair Campbell (standing left) wait for Nick Clegg to call with his decision on who will form the next government Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian Photograph: Martin Argles/guardian.co.uk Brown and colleagues waiting for the call from Clegg Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian Photograph: Martin Argles/guardian.co.uk Brown and Lord Mandelson Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian Photograph: Martin Argles/guardian.co.uk The 'war room' in Downing Street Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian Photograph: Martin Argles/guardian.co.uk Brown takes the phone call from Clegg that seals his resignation. The Liberal Democrat leader elected to support a Conservative government Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian Photograph: Martin Argles/guardian.co.uk Brown on the phone to Clegg Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian Photograph: Martin Argles/guardian.co.uk Downing Street political staff listen in on the phone call from Clegg Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian Photograph: Martin Argles/guardian.co.uk Staff, advisers and senior politicians in Prime Minister Gordon Brown's office, waiting for the final decision Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian Brown and family leave Downing Street applauded by political staff and civil servants Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian Photograph: Martin Argles/guardian.co.uk Brown gives a speech to staff and his family Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian Photograph: Martin Argles/guardian.co.uk The empty cabinet table at No 10 awaits the new Conservative government Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian Photograph: Martin Argles/guardian.co.uk Emotions in No 10 as political staff say farewell to civil service staff Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian Photograph: Martin Argles/guardian.co.uk Brown prepares to leave Downing Street for the last time Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian Photograph: Martin Argles/guardian.co.uk Prime Minister Gordon Brown says farewell to civil servants inside 10 Downing Street Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian Prime Minister Gordon Brown prepares to leave 10 Downing Street for Buckingham Palace to tender his resignation Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian Prime Minister Gordon Brown says farewell to his political staff in Downing Street Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian Brown writes letters to his successor, watched by outgoing ministers Douglas Alexander and Ed Balls, and adviser Alastair Campbell Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian Photograph: Martin Argles/guardian.co.uk Pictures ready for moving Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian Photograph: Martin Argles/guardian.co.uk