BOLTON West MP Chris Green is backing energy minister and prominent ‘Brexit’ backer Andrea Leadsom to be the country’s next Prime Minister.

Mr Green admitted that he had “seriously considered” supporting former London Mayor Boris Johnson to lead the Conservatives — and the country — until he pulled out of the race following Justice Secretary Michael Gove’s shock announcement that he too wants the job.

Mr Green is one of a number of Tory leave campaigners to have now backed Ms Leadsom, who is the MP for South Northamptonshire.

She will face-off against Mr Gove, Home Secretary Theresa May, Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb and former Defence Minister Liam Fox in the leadership contest.

The winner is expected to take on the position of Prime Minister in September.

Mr Green said that fears of any Brexit deal being “fudged” and resulting in the UK not fully leaving the European Union, were partly behind his decision.

He said: “The referendum was the biggest vote of a generation and one of the key factors in deciding our next Prime Minister is to have someone who will deliver on the decision of the British people to leave the EU.

“There cannot be any discussion about a second referendum or any kind of fudged new relationship where we don’t really leave the union.”

He said Ms Leadsom, who was praised for her performance in one of the televised debates before the referendum, has “many fantastic qualities” that would make her a good Prime Minister.

He said: “She showed in that campaign that she is highly intelligent and she has also been very effective as an energy minister.”

The Bolton West MP admitted that he has “seriously considered” backing Boris Johnson before he withdrew — but has not been impressed with Theresa May’s performance in the build up to the EU vote.

He said: “She was very quiet during the campaigns and I think that with this being one of the biggest decisions the country has had to make, you expect to see leadership — sitting out of it is a cause for concern.”