Johnson, Hunt go head-to-head to be UK's next prime minister

Former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and his successor as foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt emerged Thursday night as the two politicians in the final battle to become Britain's next Prime Minister.

They were the winners in the fifth and final vote among 313 Conservative MPs to choose a party leader to succeed Theresa May.

Former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and his successor as foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt. [File photo: China Plus]

Johnson scored 160 votes, while Hunt won 77 votes from the Conservative MPs taking part in the ballot in the Houses of Parliament. Environment Secretary Michael Gove had the lowest score of 75 votes and was eliminated.

The party leader will automatically become the next occupant at 10 Downing Street in July.

The focus next week will be on the 160,000 grassroots Conservative Party members across Britain who will vote on whether Johnson or Hunt should become their new leader.

Johnson was given a boost Thursday when the London Evening Standard newspaper, edited by former Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, backed him to be the next leader.

The Conservative Party announced Thursday the result of the final ballot will be announced in the week commencing July 22.