Boris Johnson to take charge as new UK PM on Wednesday 

LONDON: Boris Johnson is set to succeed Theresa May as prime minister of the United Kingdom (UK) on Wednesday.

The new Conservative leader will take office on Wednesday afternoon following an audience with the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

After entering Downing Street, he is expected to announce a clutch of senior cabinet posts, including chancellor of the exchequer and home secretary.

He is expected to use the opportunity to increase the number of women in full cabinet positions and boost the representation of ethnic minorities.

Mr Johnson won a decisive victory over Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt in a ballot of Tory members – gaining a 66.4% total share of the vote.

After his victory, Johnson said his priorities were to deliver Brexit, unite the country and defeat Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn.

The ex-mayor of London is expected to address the nation for the first time outside Downing Street at about 16:00 BST after accepting the Queen’s invitation to form a government.

That will follow Theresa May formally giving her resignation as prime minister at Buckingham Palace.

(Agencies)