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As it happenedended

Boris Johnson news: New PM labelled ‘racist liar’ amid criticism at home, while Trump offers congratulations from US

Follow how the day in Westminster unfolded

Benjamin Kentish
Political Correspondent
,Ashley Cowburn,Samuel Osborne
Tuesday 23 July 2019 21:20 BST
Comments
Boris Johnson begins by thanking Jeremy Hunt and Theresa May as he is announced as new Conservative Party leader

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Boris Johnson has been confirmed as the next prime minister as the result of the Tory leadership contest is announced.

Anne Milton, an education minister, resigned minutes before the announcement, saying she had “grave concerns” over Mr Johnson’s threats of a no-deal Brexit.

Other ministers are expected to follow suit before the new prime minister takes over from Theresa May tomorrow.

The new Tory leader used his victory speech to promise he will “energise the country” and meet the 31 October Brexit deadline with a “new spirit of can-do”.

Mr Johnson secured more than two-thirds of the votes in the contest, comfortably defeating Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary..

In an apparent acknowledgement of his divisive style, Mr Johnson said: “I know that there will be people around the place who will question the wisdom of your decision.

“And there may even be some people here who still wonder quite what they have done.

“I would just point out to you of course nobody, no one party, no one person has a monopoly of wisdom. But if you look at the history of the last 200 years of this party’s existence you will see that it is we Conservatives who have had the best insights, I think, into human nature.”

Elsewhere, Labour’s ruling executive is due to meet for what will inevitably be a heated discussion on the party’s response to antisemitism.

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Congratulating Boris Johnson, incoming European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen  says: "We have the duty to deliver something which is good for the people of Europe and the United Kingdom."

She was speaking to reporters during a visit to France.

Benjamin Kentish23 July 2019 14:50

Reports suggest that little-known Tory MP Mark Spencer has been appointed as Boris Johnson's chief whip. We'll bring you more on that as we get it.

Benjamin Kentish23 July 2019 14:56

Green Party MP Caroline Lucas isn't a fan of either Boris Johnson or Donald Trump...

Benjamin Kentish23 July 2019 14:59
Benjamin Kentish23 July 2019 15:08

The Leave.EU group linked to Arron Banks is claiming that 37,000 of its members backed Boris Johnson in the Tory leadership contest. It's hard to see how they could possibly know this, but the claim is likely to fuel accusations of entryism that have been around in recent weeks. 

 

Benjamin Kentish23 July 2019 15:25

A snap YouGov poll has found that 37 per cent of voters are "dismayed" at Boris Johnson taking over as prime minister tomorrow, while a further 10 per cent are "disappointed".

Only 10 per cent are "delighted", while a further 18 per cent are "pleased". 17 per cent said they "didn't mind either way".

43 per cent of voters say there is no need for the new prime minister to call a general election, while 37 per cent say that he should.

According to the survey, there is also widespread support for Jeremy Hunt, with 51 per cent of people saying the current foreign secretary should remain in the cabinet. Only 14 per cent say he should not.

Benjamin Kentish23 July 2019 15:42

This is interesting. DUP leader Arlene Foster says she has already spoken to Boris Johnson to congratulate him on becoming leader of the Conservatives.

Intriguingly, she says the Commons pact between her party and the Tories will be reviewed "over the coming weeks" - suggesting the DUP may demand more in return for propping up Mr Johnson's government like it did with Theresa May's.

Ms Foster said:

“I have spoken with Boris Johnson and congratulated him on becoming leader of the Conservative Party. 

"We discussed our shared objectives of strengthening every part of the union, ensuring the 2016 referendum result is implemented and seeing devolution restored in Northern Ireland. 

The confidence and supply agreement between the Conservative Party and the Democratic Unionist Party remains.  That agreement included a review between each parliamentary session.  This will take place over the coming weeks and will explore the policy priorities of both parties for the next parliamentary session.

I also look forward to welcoming Mr Johnson back to Northern Ireland shortly after becomes prime minister.”

Benjamin Kentish23 July 2019 15:58

Boris Johnson will address Conservative MPs for the first time as party leader in the next few minutes. MPs are already crowding into a stuffy Commons committee room awaiting his arrival. You expect lots of desk banging and raucous cheers when he does. It's not as if most of them are looking for a plum government job, after all...

Benjamin Kentish23 July 2019 16:02

Jeremy Corbyn has told ITV News that Labour will call a vote of no confidence in Boris Johnson's government "at a time of our choosing", adding: "It'll be an interesting surprise for all of you." That appears to rule out tomorrow, then...

Benjamin Kentish23 July 2019 16:11

Benjamin Kentish23 July 2019 16:13

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