Voting ends in Tory leadership contest as Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss await Downing Street decision

Polling has officially closed in the Tory leadership contest to decide the next prime minister of the UK.

Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss made their final appeals to voters on Friday before the 5pm deadline.

Foreign secretary Truss is currently thought to be leading the race, but all ballots will be tallied in the coming days before the announcement of Boris Johnson’s successor on Monday.

The new PM will be inaugurated in Scotland for the first time after meeting with the Queen at Balmoral, where the monarch is currently staying.

The winner will officially take over from Johnson on Tuesday.

In a message to Tory party members, Truss said: “Our members make our party great and I would like to thank all the volunteers who have helped along the way.

“I believe in a brighter and better future for Britain. I have a bold plan that will grow our economy and deliver higher wages, more security for families and world-class public services.

“I’ll do this by cutting taxes, pushing through supply-side reform and slashing red tape that is holding businesses back.

“If I am elected prime minister, I will never let anyone talk us down and I will do everything in my power to make sure our great nation succeeds.”

Sunak has consistently acknowledged he is the underdog and his supporters continue to hope he can cause a surprise.

He said he was “humbled” by the experience, adding: “This is a critical election for our country and for the future of the Conservative Party, as we eye a historic fifth term in government.

“We face huge challenges ahead, but also huge opportunities. I know what it takes to get through challenging times. I did it as chancellor and I will do it again as prime minister.”