BORIS Johnson is on his way to becoming the next Prime Minister after comprehensively defeating Jeremy Hunt in the Tory leadership vote.

The Brexiteer won the support of 92153 members, nearly double Hunt's 46656; Johnson's vote share works out as just 0.13% of the population.

In his victory speech, Johnson thanked Tory members for the "extraordinary honour and privilege you have just conferred on me".

"I know that there will be people around the place who will question the wisdom of your decision," he said.

"There may even be some people here who still wonder what they have done."

He promised his government would "energise the country".

"We are going to get Brexit done on October 31 and take advantage of all the opportunities it will bring with a new spirit of can do.

"We are once again going to believe in ourselves, and like some slumbering giant we are going to rise and ping off the guy ropes of self doubt and negativity."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon sent the new Tory leader her congratulations but said she had "profound concerns about the prospect of his premiership".

"These are concerns that I am certain will be shared by the vast majority of people in Scotland who, had they been given any say, would not have chosen to hand the keys of No 10 to someone with his views and track record," she said.

Sturgeon added: "Scotland did not vote for Brexit, or for the current Tory Government – and certainly not for Boris Johnson as Prime Minister. All of this underlines the need for Scotland to have the right to determine our own future, in line with the democratic wishes of all those who live here.”

In Brussels, EU Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, said Europe was looking forward to "working constructively w/ PM @BorisJohnson when he takes office, to facilitate the ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement and achieve an orderly #Brexit. We are ready also to rework the agreed Declaration on a new partnership in line with #EUCO guidelines.

Johnson is expected to become Prime Minister tomorrow afternoon. He faces a slew of Cabinet resignations and the possibility of an early vote of no confidence.

This morning, before the result had been revealed, Education Minister Anne Milton quit, citing “grave concerns” about the prospect of leaving the EU without a deal.

Chancellor Philip Hammond and Justice Secretary David Gauke have already given notice that they will resign.

Though there was little enthusiasm for the new boss from the Scottish Tories, there was no sign of rebellion.

Ruth Davidson, who backed Hunt, and who has been a fierce critic of Johnson in the past, sent her congratulations saying: “My priority as Scottish Conservative leader is to ensure that he will deliver for Scotland within the UK, stop Nicola Sturgeon’s efforts to take us back to a second independence referendum, and prevent Jeremy Corbyn from getting to No 10.”

David Mundell, who previously said that Johnson "seems to behave in a way that suggests he is only focused on his own self interest and not on the interests of our country" tweeted: "I congratulate Boris Johnson on his clear win in the leadership contest. Our party must now unite behind the new leader and Prime Minister, so we can get on with the job of delivering Brexit, whilst maintaining a strong United Kingdom."

Other Scottish politics were less welcoming.

Patrick Harvie from the Scottish Greens said Johnson's victory made the case for another independence referendum even more urgent.

“Scotland needs a route out of Boris’ Brexit Britain, and while we already have a firm mandate to hold a referendum, Johnson’s elevation to the office of Prime Minister on the back of bluff and bluster is hugely concerning and reinforces the need to hold this vote urgently. 

"Brexit is already having a hugely detrimental impact with EU citizens in particular feeling under attack as rhetoric from the likes of Johnson and co has been relentless over the last three years.  

“In the face of this utter shambles it has never been more important that Scotland retakes our place as an independent European nation.”