Imran Khan has spoken out after confirming that he is running to be Oxford University’s new chancellor from his prison cell in Pakistan.

An election will be held for the first-ever time to decide the new chancellor following 80-year-old Lord Chris Patten’s decision to retire later this year.

More than 250,000 Oxford graduates and former staff members will be able to vote online for the role which has been held by three people since 1960.

These are former Conservative Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, ex-Labour home secretary and president of the European Commission Roy Jenkins and Lord Patten.

READ MORE: Meet the bartender standing to become next Oxford University chancellor

Imran Khan is running to be the new chancellor.Imran Khan is running to be the new chancellor. (Image: PA)

Several ex-politicians have thrown their hats into the ring this year including former Prime Minister Theresa May as well as Lord William Hague and Lord Peter Mandelson.

Former prime minister and cricketer Mr Khan said he wanted to "give back" to the university, where he studied 50 years ago.

The 71-year-old said: “As chancellor, I would passionately advocate for Oxford, championing its values of diversity, equality and inclusion, both in the UK and abroad. 

“I am committed to giving back to the world the resilience, determination and integrity that life has taught me, even when the odds are stacked against me.”

READ MORE: Oxford University chancellor candidate vows to help poorer students

The new chancellor will serve a 10-year term with lots of candidates putting their names forward including the Scottish lawyer who led the inquiry into Sarah Everard’s murder, Lady Elish Angiolini.

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