A number of North East have come out to put their support behind Rishi Sunak after he launched his bid to become PM this morning.

The Richmond MP and former Chancellor, said he would “deliver for our country” in a statement on Twitter.

He joins Penny Mordaunt in the race to become PM after she became the first person to announce her interest on Friday, October 21.

Now a number of North East MPs have launched their support behind Mr Sunak.

Peter Gibson, MP for Darlington, said he was #ReadyForRishi on Twitter.

He said: “I am backing Rishi Sunak for the leadership. We need a period of certainty and stability. I will be forever grateful to Boris Johnson for all he has done and Penny Mordaunt has a great future in our national life but at this point in time I’m #ReadyForRishi.”

Matt Vickers has also come out in support of the Richmond MP saying that he is one of the “most exceptional, determined and intelligent people you could ever hope to meet.”

He added: “The next Prime Minister will have to tackle unprecedented economic challenges and unite our country and party.

Read more: Richmond MP Rishi Sunak ‘wins enough support to progress in Tory leadership campaign’

“I believe Rishi Sunak is the best person to take on today’s challenges.

“I met Rishi before he became an MP or even parliamentary candidate, and throughout that time it’s become clear that he is one of the most exceptional, determined and intelligent people you could ever hope to meet.

“He is the Prime Minister we need to take on today’s challenges.”

Rishi Sunak’s public backers have put him beyond the threshold of 100 nominations from MPs required to be on the ballot for the Tory leadership race, according to analysis by the PA news agency.

The former chancellor, who announced his bid to replace Liz Truss as prime minister on Sunday, has become the second candidate to enter the race after Penny Mordaunt, who announced she was standing on Friday.

Meanwhile Boris Johnson has returned to the UK to plot a second run for the top job, although he has not officially declared this.

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