Veteran North Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale thinks Theresa May will face the “greatest peacetime challenges since the 19th century” when she becomes prime minister.

Mrs May is set to be named PM after Conservative leadership candidate Andrea Leadsom pulled out of the race today.

Sir Roger, who supported the vote to remain in the EU, has supported Mrs May’s candidacy for leadership since the home secretary announced she was entering the race at the end of last month.

He said: “Following her speech in Thanet last Thursday, having travelled following the announcement of her endorsement by the parliamentary party, I said, in proposing a vote of thanks, that as our next prime minister, Theresa May would face the greatest peacetime challenges since the 19th century.

“That is true as is the fact that she is up to those challenges.

“I believe that she will unite both our party and the country in seeking to lead us forward to long-term prosperity and confidence from which one nation will benefit.”