BORIS Johnson will be the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Mr Johnson, the overwhelming favourite, defeated Jeremy Hunt to become leader of the Conservative Party and the next PM.

The announcement was made a few moments ago by Dame Cheryl Gillan and Charles Walker - returning officers of the 1922 Committee.

Despite vowing to give the former Mayor of London ‘the fight of his life’, Mr Hunt was defeated by 92,153 to 46,656 votes following a six-week process of nominations, votes and hustings.

Addressing the crowd in his victory speech at the leadership announcement in Westminster, Mr Johnson promised he would 'deliver Brexit, unite the country and defeat Jeremy Corbyn'.

He added: "We are going to energise the country.

"We are going to get Brexit done on 31 October and take advantage of all the opportunities it will bring with a new spirit of can do.

"We are once again going to believe in ourselves, and like some slumbering giant we are going to rise and ping off the guy ropes of self doubt and negativity."

Almost 160,000 Conservative members were eligible to vote and turnout was 87.4%.

Mr Johnson's share of the vote - 66.4% - was slightly lower than David Cameron in the 2005 Tory leadership election (67.6%).

Oxford Mail:

Mr Johnson will now move into 10 Downing Street following the resignation of Theresa May.

Oxford Mail:

The MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip has vowed to take the UK out of the EU by October 31 ‘do or die, come what may’ and will not rule out a no-deal Brexit.

Senior Tories including Chancellor Philip Hammond, International Development Secretary Rory Stewart and Justice Secretary David Gauke have already said they will not serve in a Johnson government.

And Education Minister Anne Milton resigned this morning. 

But Mr Johnson received the backing of the majority of some 160,000 Conservative members to take the top job.

Mrs May will take her final Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons before formally resigning as PM.

She is expected to return to Downing Street after her last stint at the despatch box to have lunch and address Number 10 staff.

Oxford Mail:

Mrs May will then make a short statement to media waiting in the street outside the famous black door before heading to Buckingham Palace to offer her resignation to the Queen.

The monarch will then meet Mr Johnson at the Palace and invite him to form a new government.

Traditionally, the new prime minister makes a statement in Downing Street before stepping into Number 10 for the first time as PM.

What happens next?

Oxford Mail:

Mr Johnson is likely to spend his first full day in office finalising his government - with appointments to the cabinet and ministerial team expected.

The Commons will rise for the summer recess, with MPs not due to return until September 3.

The Cabinet reshuffle could continue into Friday, with the new prime minister finalising his team ahead of the summer.

He may also make his first official visit as PM to one of the four regions of the UK - like Mrs May's trip to Scotland on her second day in office - or perhaps head to Brussels to in a bid to reopen Brexit negotiations.