The MP for Maldon has backed Boris Johnson to succeed Theresa May as Prime Minister.

Following the Prime Minister's tearful announcement she will leave Downing Street on June 7, John Whittingdale confirmed he will be backing the former Mayor of London, Boris to be the leader "to deliver Brexit".

Mr Whittingdale said: “I think it is important that whoever becomes leader and wants to deliver Brexit should support and have campaigned for it.

“Boris can reach widely beyond just Conservative members, around the country.

“While I was out campaigning for the Maldon elections, around the area there was a lot of support for him.

"I think people became frustrated with the position we had come to under Theresa May.”

Mrs May broke down at the podium when she delivered her resignation in Downing Street.

Halstead Gazette:

She said: "It is and will always remain a matter of deep regret to me that I have not been able to deliver Brexit."

She concluded by saying it had been "the honour of my life" to "serve the country that I love".

Mr Whittingdale, who has been critical of Mrs May throughout Brexit negotiations said that he did feel "human sympathy" for her following her resignation, however he did feel it was the "right decision".

He said: “I have felt for some time the Conservative party needed new leadership to try and find a way forward on Brexit.

“The Prime Minister seemed not to accept her deal would not get passed.

“I have some sympathy for her.

“I was at Downing Street when Margaret Thatcher left and when she walked out to give a similar speech.

“She also was overcome by the situation as the Prime Minister did, and I have some human sympathy for her."