Brecon and Radnorshire MP Fay Jones has added her support to the campaign to make Rishi Sunak Prime Minister.

Ms Jones, who has worked closely with Mr Sunak since her election in 2019, first consulted members of the Brecon and Radnorshire conservative association before making her decision.

With the first round of voting due on Wednesday July 13, Ms Jones pledged her support for the former chancellor - she made the announcement on her Tiwtter account which she recently reactivated.

Speaking ahead of the vote, Ms Jones said: “I am delighted to be supporting Rishi Sunak to be prime minister.

“11,000 jobs in Brecon and Radnorshire were saved during the pandemic as a result of his creating the furlough scheme. That is the sort of imagination and innovation in our country needs to solve our challenges. He is upfront and realistic - he will never promise the moon on a stick when it’s completely unachievable.

“What’s most important to me is that Rishi is the only candidate who understands rural areas. We have met a number of times to discuss how to support rural Britain during the cost of living challenge. His constituency is very much like mine and he has served on the Environment Food and Rural Affairs committee. He understands what those who live in rural communities need and will rural proof the next government so it truly delivers for farming communities.

“There are some fantastic candidates in the leadership race and you won’t hear me criticise a single one of them. But I’m proud to be backing Rishi as the only candidate with the experience and the talent to restore pride in our leadership.”

A total of 11 Conservative MPs are in the running to become the next leader of the party following Boris Johnson’s resignation.

With the new leader expected to be announced in Autumn, Rishi Sunak is currently the favourite at the bookmakers to become the next Prime Minister.

Mr Sunak is the leader with betting agencies, with the odds placed at 2/1 of him being appointed - he is followed by Penny Morduant, Lizz Truss, Tom Tugendhat and Kemi Badenoch.

Brecon and Radnorshire’s MS James Evans has not voiced support publicly for any particular candidate, however, he has called for an “honest leader” on Twitter.

He said: “The next leader of the party needs to be honest with the people about the challenges the country faces.

“I want to see a fully costed plan to recover the economy, a plan to regain the public’s trust, a plan to tacking the cost of living crisis and how they will deliver for Wales!”