THE Conservative candidate for Richmond has been selected following a majority result in the first round of the voting process.

Rishi Sunak, a businessman who co-founded a multinational investment firm, was the firm favourite and said it was an “incredible privilege” to be chosen as the next Richmond candidate for the Conservative party.

The Richmond Conservative Association held the selection meeting at Tennants auction house in Leyburn today to pick the person to stand in one of the safest Tory seats in the country.

Mr Sunak’s former role involved investing in small and fast-growing British businesses, and he is also a governor of the East London Science School.

An Oxford graduate, he did an MBA at Stanford University in the US, where he was a Fulbright Scholar.

Mr Sunak said: “I’m over the moon. It’s an incredible privilege to represent this really special part of the world, and to follow in the footsteps of William Hague.

“He was a very well-loved MP and I hope I can benefit from his advice. Everyone I have met here so far has been very warm and welcoming and I’m looking forward to my wife and children joining me here.”

Mr Hague said: “I have been hearing many people saying how impressive Rishi is, and how well he has been getting to know the area and its issues.

“I look forward to campaigning for him. The only advice I could him is what he is already doing – get to know the area and the people – that’s how he won the candidacy.

“I know he is dedicated to continuing to do that and he will make a great next MP for Richmond and representative for this community.”

Ron Kirk, chairman of the Richmond Conservative Association, said the shortlist was varied and very strong, and he was proud of all the candidates.

He said: “Rishi appealed to the wider cross section of our members, and he won with more than 50 per cent of the vote – as did William Hague when he was first selected.

“The others were also very good and I’m sure they will all find seats.

“Rishi has spent a lot of time in the area over the last month, has got to know a lot of the issues and he has spoken to as many people as he can, party members and residents alike.”