UPDATED: Boris Johnson declares as new UK prime minister
By Bosun Obafemi
Boris Johnson has won the election to become the next Prime minister of the United Kingdom.
Boris, who is also to become the Conservative leader, defeated his only rival, Jeremy Hunt, in a ballot of party members with 92,153 votes against 46,656.
In his victory speech, Mr Johnson promised he would “deliver Brexit, unite the country and defeat Jeremy Corbyn”.
Speaking at the Queen Elizabeth II centre in London, he said: “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.”
The former London mayor will take over from Theresa May on Wednesday.
