Republican Kevin McCarthy has been forced out as Speaker of the US House of Representatives.

BBC News says 216 members- including eight Republicans – voted to oust the Californian congressman from the Speaker’s chair, while 210 representatives – all Republicans – voted to retain him.

Mr McCarthy is the first Speaker in US history ever to be removed in this way after a motion to vacate.

Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz filed the formal motion on Monday to eject him, after months of infighting between McCarthy and his party’s right wing.

Mr McCarthy  recently angered some members of his own party by making a deal to keep the government open over the weekend.

He is said to have stood by the deal saying, “If I have to lose my job over it, so be it”.