New prime minister – latest: Mordaunt says she has over 90 MPs – despite claim Sunak ‘will be PM by end of the day’

Sunak wouldn’t be first ethnic minority PM – but it should ‘make us proud’ if it happens

If Penny Mordaunt drops out of the race today, Rishi Sunak would become Conservative leader and prime minister on Diwali – a day of celebration and huge significance for Hindus.

Mr Sunak is the son of African-born Hindu immigrants who originally came from India’s Punjab.

But although some have claimed it, he would not be the first British prime minister from an ethnic minority background.

Benjamin Disraeli, of Jewish descent, twice served as PM and was a founding member of the modern Conservative Party.

Stephen Pollard, editor of the Jewish Chronicle newspaper, tweeted earlier today: “I know already that I am soon going to get very tired of pointing out that Sunak will not be our first ethnic minority PM. A certain Benjamin Disraeli beat him by 154 years.”

He added: “Not of course that this in any way diminishes how wonderful it is – in what it says about our nation – to have our first PM of Asian background.”

‘I’m not voting for him because of his race’

Tory MP and former leadership hopeful Kemi Badenoch, who is of Nigerian descent, said in her endorsement of Mr Sunak that: “I’m backing Rishi not because he would be the country’s first ethnic minority prime minister, but because he would be a great leader during a time of crisis and difficulty.”

‘We should be proud’

Labour MP Jess Phillips said: “I’m glad I live in a country where an Asian Brit can rise to highest office, it’s something to be proud of. Class issue remains greatest barrier it would seem.”

Muslims Against Antisemitism comment

While the group Muslims Against Antisemitism tweeted: “Rishi Sunak may well come prime minister on one of the most auspicious religious days for Hindus – Diwali.

“Modern Britain is stronger because of its diversity. Far stronger when we are united in a common purpose.

“Modern Britain is also the best when it accepts talent.”

If Ms Mordaunt wins, she would become Britain’s fourth female leader.