UK: Johnson to Face Hunt in Final Round of Tory Leadership Contest

By Staff, Agencies

Former London Mayor Boris Johnson topped the fifth ballot of MPs in the governing Conservative Party with a wide margin of 160 votes, ahead of Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt on 77.

Current environment secretary was dropped out of the race, with only 75 votes.

The center-right party's 160,000 grassroots members will now pick their new leader from the final two, who will then take over from Theresa May as prime minister in late July.

The two will face 16 hustings around the country, while televised debates between the pair will also be discussed with broadcasters.

Brexit will dominate the debates, with Britain due to leave the European Union on October 31.

Jeremy Hunt has also promised to deliver Brexit as quickly as possible, but has left open the option of a short delay if a deal with the EU is within reach.

Both refused to rule out leaving with no agreement on the divorce terms -- a potentially damaging "no deal" Brexit -- if necessary.