CENTRAL Devon MP Mel stride has hit back at US President Donald Trump’s backing of Boris Johnson in the race to become Prime Minister.

Mr Stride, who is now Leader of the House of Commons, said the president would not be ‘picking’ the UK’s next leader.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4 Today Programme, Mr Stride claimed Trump was ‘entitled to his opinion’ but that it was not up to the US president to decide who will replace Theresa May.

His comments came as Trump claimed he believed Boris Johnson would do a good job leading the country ahead of the leadership contest.

The Tory MP, who backs Environment Secretary Michael Gove to become next Prime Minister, said: ‘The President of the United States, of course, is entitled to his opinion.

‘But it’s not the case of him picking the next prime minister of our country.

‘That process will be one involving the parliamentary party and then the membership itself.’