A “productive working relationship” with Britain is expected to continue after controversial Boris Johnson became the new Prime Minister, the Premier said yesterday.

David Burt said: “The Government of Bermuda has a long history of working with UK governments.

“With the election of Mr Johnson as the leader of his party and his eventual appointment as Prime Minister, I fully expect that this productive working relationship will continue.”

Mr Burt was speaking after Mr Johnson, a former foreign secretary who resigned last year, was elected by Conservative party members as the successor to Theresa May.

He is expected to be confirmed in the role today.

Mr Burt met Mr Johnson on a visit to London to attend a Joint Ministerial Council of the UK Overseas Territories in 2017.

The former Mayor of London, took 92,153 votes from party members, a convincing victory over Jeremy Hunt, who took over from Mr Johnson as foreign secretary, who got 46,656 votes.

Mr Johnson, a major supporter of the campaign for Britain to leave the EU, told supporters in his victory speech that he would “deliver Brexit” and “unite the country”.

Craig Cannonier, the One Bermuda Alliance leader, said that he supported a prime minister who realised their duty to listen to the people and governments of the Overseas Territories.

He added: “As a former foreign secretary, I would expect Mr Johnson to be aware of the issues which affect countries like Bermuda and I would expect him to act accordingly.”

Mr Cannonier said: “With any change of leadership there is a period when you are waiting to see what policies the new prime minister will want to pursue and how those policies might affect countries like Bermuda.

“I would encourage the Government to take every possible step to ensure that in this settling in period, and despite the negotiations over Brexit, that our voice is heard loud and clear.

Mr Cannonier added that he had a “simple” message for Mr Johnson.

He said: “We are a self-governing country, we are the UK’s largest dependent territory, so treat us with respect and do not try to force things upon us that harm our economy, such as a public Register of Interests.”

John Rankin, the Governor, said: “I was pleased that while serving as foreign secretary in 2017, Mr Johnson was able to meet the Premier in London.

“I am confident that the positive relationship with Bermuda will continue.”

Donald Trump, the US President, told an event in Washington yesterday that “a really good man is going to be the Prime Minister of the UK now”.