A North East MP has given his support to Rishi Sunak's bid to be the next Prime Minister, after the Richmond MP lost his race against Liz Truss last month.

Paul Howell, MP for Sedgefield, tweeted this morning (Saturday, October 22), that he would be backing the Richmond MP to become the leader of the UK.

Rishi Sunak is believed to have become the first Tory leadership candidate to have amassed sufficient support to make it to the ballot of Conservative colleagues.

The former chancellor’s supporters said on Friday night (October 21) he had received nominations from 100 Tory MPs to pass the threshold required way ahead of Monday’s deadline.

Read more: Who your MP is backing to be the next Prime Minister after Liz Truss forced out

Boris Johnson was lagging behind, as was Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt who became the first to confirm her candidacy to replace Liz Truss as Prime Minister.

The Northern Echo: Paul Howell MPPaul Howell MP (Image: Google)

In his tweet, Paul Howell MP, said: “As you may be aware, in the previous leadership race I supported Rishi Sunak to be our next prime minister.

“Having worked with Rishi up close, I have seen first-hand all that he has done for the Sedgefield constituency, and the North East more broadly.”

In the Twitter thread, Howell went onto say: “It is in this view, that I am proud to renew my support for Rishi as I am still convinced that he is the best candidate to continue the task of levelling up our great country and getting to grips with the cost of living crisis.”

The Northern Echo: Rishi Sunak MPRishi Sunak MP (Image: The Northern Echo)

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

Some other North East MPs are also backing Sunak, however, many others have remained tight-lipped on who they will be backing.

The Northern Echo: Richard Holden MPRichard Holden MP (Image: Google)

Richard Holden, MP for Durham North West told The Northern Echo: “I’m backing Rishi to be the next leader because he is the candidate best placed to deliver both a competent government and the economic credibility my constituents, my party and our country needs.”

Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton, is backing Rishi Sunak, if he decides to stand in the campaign.

The Northern Echo: Kevin Hollinrake MPKevin Hollinrake MP (Image: Google)

Hollinrake told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Friday, October 21: “The whole country is crying out for some stability and I think that’s what Rishi can bring – that calm, competence in everything he does.

“He has been tested in the second highest office of state as chancellor and I think he will bring the same calm competence to the job as Prime Minister.”

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