Boris Johnson announced as new Tory leader and next UK prime minister

Boris Johnson has been named as the new Conservative leader and the new prime minister of the United Kingdom.

Mr Johnson secured 92,153 of the vote compared to 46,656 for Mr Hunt to win the Tory leadership.

The outcome of the ballot of about 160,000 Tory members was revealed just after midday.

In his winner’s speech, Mr Johnson called his rival Mr Hunt “a formidable campaigner,” and with a “font of ideas” that he promises to “steal.”

He also paid tribute to outgoing PM Theresa May, saying it was a “privilege” to work in her cabinet.

Mr Johnson will officially become prime minister on Wednesday.

The former mayor of London was seen as the clear favourite, although a number of senior figures said they will not serve under him.

Education Minister Anne Milton tweeted her resignation just half an hour before the leadership result was due to be revealed.

Explaining her decision, she said: “I believe strongly that Parliament should continue to play a central role in approving a deal and that we must leave the EU in a responsible manner.”

Theresa May stood down as prime minister after a revolt by Conservative MPs over her Brexit policy.

She will officially resign at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday afternoon after taking part in her final Prime Minister’s Questions.

Mr Johnson will take office shortly after, as he too receives the private audience of the Queen.

Members of the Conservative party have been voting on their new leader over the past two-and-a-half weeks.

Mr Johnson has been regarded as the frontrunner since he made the final two candidates last month.

He led the Leave campaign in the 2016 Brexit referendum.

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He has promised to deliver Brexit with or without a deal by October 31.

Conservative MP Sir Michael Fallon told the BBC’s Radio 4 Today programme Mr Johnson would “improve” the Brexit deal with the EU in a way that would satisfy Parliament.

“One of the great attractions of Boris taking over our party is that he is optimistic and ambitious,” he added.

Mr Johnson has previously said the withdrawal agreement Mrs May negotiated with the EU is “dead”.

The new prime minister will have to govern with a Tory-DUP majority of just two, after Dover MP Charlie Elphicke had the Conservative whip suspended when he was charged with sexually assaulting two women.

Chairman of the Conservative Party, Brandon Lewis MP made a speech before the results were announced.

He paid tribute to outgoing PM Theresa May, asking that the party be “kinder” to the new prime minister.

Out of 159,000 eligible electors there was an 87.4% turnout, and the total number of rejected ballots was 509.

#BorisDay has been trending on Twitter today.