CLACTON MP Giles Watling has revealed he is backing Boris Johnson to become the next prime minister.

The Tory MP said he initially supported Michael Gove, but Mr Gove failed to gain the support of enough MPs to make it into the final stage of the Conservative Party leadership contest.

Speaking to James Max on his TalkRadio Business Breakfast Show on Wednesday, Mr Watling said he favoured Boris Johnson over the other remaining candidate, Jeremy Hunt.

Mr Watling said: “Looking at the situation in the country and having to deliver Brexit, I think for this time, Boris is the man to see us through that.”

Mr Watling said he had no intention of climbing Westminster’s greasy pole, but saw his job as “banging the drum” for the constituency.

He added: “My predecessor, for all the great stuff he did, was more focused on national politics and international politics than our little corner of the world.”

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

TalkRadio - James Max and Giles Watling

Mr Max, who is also chairman of the Frinton-on-Sea Lawn Tennis Club, presents the daily Business Breakfast Show which broadcasts weekday mornings from 5am and 6.30am.