Harrogate MP reveals his choice for new Prime Minister to replace Liz Truss

Following the resignation of Prime Minister Liz Truss, Mr Jones said he would be voting for his North Yorkshire colleague Rishi Sunak in the latest Tory leadership election.

It's the same choice Mr Jones made in the summer's leadership race when he came out strongly in favour of the former Chancellor of the Exchequer before Liz Truss eventually proved triumphant, albeit for a brief time.

“I’m backing Rishi because he has the experience, ability and energy to tackle the problems facing our country," said Mr Jones.

"He instinctively reaches for the right solutions and now, more than ever, we need someone who will bring those qualities to our national politics.

"He has demonstrated proven, economic judgement in unprecedented times.

“I admired how he dealt with the Herculean challenges which faced the country when Covid hit.

"He worked at pace to save businesses and jobs and to provide the cash our NHS needed to get us through the pandemic.

“This vote is about the future.

"That future needs energy and ability at the top of our politics.

"It needs someone who can assemble and lead a broad-based team.

"For me, that person is Rishi Sunak.”

The frontrunners are also expected to include the likes of Penny Mordaunt, and, just possibly, Boris Johnson.

In July Mr Jones called on then Prime Minister Boris Johnson to 'read the room' and resign after the Partygate scandal.