Wearing a shirt with the state seal on it, Gov. Ron DeSantis rewarded one of the British leaders who talked to him during the global “trade mission” he launched on the eve of his failed presidential campaign last year.

Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida and former Republican presidential hopeful, has backed Kemi Badenoch in the race to become the next Tory leader.He declares that she “flies the flag of bold colours” of conservatism and praised her for being “strong” and “courageous”.

Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, Robert Jenrick and Tom Tugendhat are the final candidates for the Tory top spot. Although the race was announced on 5 July, the leader will not be revealed until early November – although two candidates have called for the timeframe to be cut down.