DEMOCRAT Joe Biden was finally named as the winner of the race for the White House yesterday – with supporters declaring “Welcome back America”.

The former vice-president was called as the winner of the state of Pennsylvania, meaning he had secured an insurmountable lead in the vote four days after the electiontook place.

Biden, who also won Nevada, said he was “honoured” that America has “chosen me to lead our great country”, adding that it is time for the US to “unite” and “heal”.

At 77, he is the oldest person to be elected US president and his running mate Kamala Harris is poised to be the first female, black, and Indian-American vice president.

Biden’s victory was greeted with cheering and celebrations in cities in the US from supporters who welcomed the end of four turbulent years with Donald Trump in charge.

Trump was reportedly playing golf when the result was called.

Last night it was unclear whether he would opt for a dignified exit or follow through with his many threats of legal action over the vote.

Messages to Biden and Harris were sent from leaders around the world, including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. She congratulated them on their projected victory, adding: “The first woman in the White House – and the first woman of colour too.

“This is a big and special moment.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: “Congratulations to Joe Biden on his election as President of the United States and to Kamala Harris on her historic achievement.

“The US is our most important ally and I look forward to working closely together on our shared priorities, from climate change to trade and security.”

However SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford called for Johnson to reflect on his own reputation of “Britain Trump” in the wake of the result.

He said: “His extreme Brexit policies, and his decision to align himself so closely with the narrow politics of Donald Trump, have left the Tory Prime Minister increasingly isolated on the world stage.”

In a statement, Biden said: “I am honoured and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and in Vice President-elect Harris.

“In the face of unprecedented obstacles a record number of Americans voted, proving once again that democracy beats deep in the heart of America.

“With the campaign over, it’s time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation. It’s time for America to unite. And to heal.

“We are the United States of America. And there’s nothing we can’t do, if we do it together.”

Trump issued a statement which indicated he had no plans to concede.

He said he considered the election “far from over” as he repeated unsubstantiated claims of fraudulent ballots and vowed to press ahead with legal action.

He said: “We all know why Joe Biden is rushing to falsely pose as the winner and why his media allies are trying so hard to help him: they don’t want the truth to be exposed. The simple fact is this election is far from over.

“Joe Biden has not been certified as the winner of any states, let alone any of the highly contested states headed for mandatory recounts, or states where our campaign has valid and legitimate legal challenges that could determine the ultimate victor.”

He added: “Beginning (on) Monday, our campaign will start prosecuting our case in court to ensure election laws are fully upheld and the rightful winner is seated.”

This was Biden’s third bid for the White House and he is now set to become the 46th President of the United States.

He spent two terms as vice president to Trump’s predecessor Barack Obama, who described him as the “best vice president America ever had”.

His first attempt at the White House job was the 1988 race, but he was forced to withdraw from the Democratic nomination contest after he admitted to plagiarising parts of a speech from British Labour leader Neil Kinnock.

His next run for the Democratic candidacy was in 2007, which concluded with him pulling out and joining the Obama ticket.

Biden secured the current nomination when his last competitor, Bernie Sanders, dropped out in April 2020.

He has often spoken of the loss of his first wife Neilia and baby daughter Naomi in a car accident.

He met his second wife, Jill Jacobs in 1975, and they married in June 1977. They had a daughter, Ashley, in 1981.

However, with more than two months to go until the President-Elect is officially sworn in, the electoral process has only just begun.

The meeting of the electors will take place on December 14, when votes are cast for president and vice-president on separate ballots.

The process will finally conclude on January 20 for the presidential inauguration, when Biden takes the Oath of Office and is officially sworn in as president of the United States.