LONDON — Rishi Sunak was elected leader of the Conservatives on Monday and will become the next Prime Minister after rival Penny Mordaunt failed to secure the necessary 100 nominations from fellow MPs.
“Rishi Sunak is therefore elected leader of the Conservative Party,” said backbench MP Graham Brady, as Mordaunt pledged his “full support” to the former Treasury secretary.
Sunak was due to make his first remarks at 2.30pm (1.30pm GMT), according to Brady, whose 1922 committee of Conservative MPs staged a snap leadership election after Prime Minister Liz Truss resigned last week.
Former leader Boris Johnson withdrew from the race late on Sunday, leaving a head-to-head battle between Sunak and Mordaunt.
“These are unprecedented times. Despite the tight schedule of leadership competition, it is clear that colleagues feel we need reassurance today,” Mordaunt said in a statement.
“You made this decision in good faith for the good of the country.”
The Conservatives retain a majority in Parliament, meaning Sunak was elected as their leader and therefore King Charles III will appoint him Prime Minister.
- Editor/ additional report by AFP
