Boris Johnson has been elected as leader of the Conservative Party and will become the UK's next prime minister after defeating Jeremy Hunt.

Boris Johnson said it was an "extraordinary honour and privilege" to be elected Tory leader.

Johnson beat Jeremy Hunt with 66.3% of the vote. 

Boris Johnson praised Theresa May for her "extraordinary service to this party and this country", saying it was a privilege to serve in her Cabinet.

In his victory speech, Mr Johnson thanked Tory members for the "extraordinary honour and privilege you have just conferred on me".

"I know that there will be people around the place who will question the wisdom of your decision," he said.

"There may even be some people here who still wonder what they have done."

After the result was declared, the SNP tweeted: "Scotland must have a choice."

That message was backed by Patrick Harvie, the co-convener of the pro-independence Scottish Green Party.

He said: "The people of Scotland didn't vote for Brexit, we didn't vote for a Tory government and I'm certain that given the choice we wouldn't have voted for Boris Johnson either.

"Scotland needs a route out of Boris' Brexit Britain, and while we already have a firm mandate to hold a referendum, Johnson's elevation to the office of Prime Minister on the back of bluff and bluster is hugely concerning and reinforces the need to hold this vote urgently.

"Brexit is already having a hugely detrimental impact with EU citizens in particular feeling under attack as rhetoric from the likes of Johnson and co has been relentless over the last three years.

"In the face of this utter shambles it has never been more important that Scotland retakes our place as an independent European nation"