BORDERS MP John Lamont has welcomed the election of Rishi Sunak as the UK’s new Prime Minister, saying he will be an “incredible leader”.

The former Chancellor was elected unopposed as leader of the Conservative Party on Monday.

The announcement came after his only rival left in the race, Penny Mordaunt, the leader of the House of Commons, said she was withdrawing from the contest.

It followed the withdrawal also of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

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The contest was triggered following the resignation of Liz Truss after only 44 days at the helm.

Mr Lamont, MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk, tweeted his congratulations, saying: “Congratulations to @RishiSunak on becoming the next leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister of this great country. He will be an incredible leader.”

Mr Lamont had backed Ms Mordaunt during the campaign.