Theresa May's successor will face their first electoral test within days of assuming power after the by-election for the vacant Brecon and Radnorshire seat was triggered.

Government chief whip Julian Smith moved the writ at the start of business in the Commons on Thursday, June 27, to initiate the contest, which is required after a successful recall petition removed Tory Chris Davies following his conviction for faking expenses claims.

By-elections take place between 21 and 27 working days from the issuing of a writ, resulting in polling day on Thursday, August 1.

Opposition MPs had speculated the Government did not move the writ earlier in order to avoid a July 25 contest - and spare either Boris Johnson or Jeremy Hunt from having to deal with the by-election on their first full day as Tory leader.

Mr Smith said: "I beg to move that Mr Speaker do issue his warrant to the clerk of the crown to make out a new writ for the electing of a member to serve in this present Parliament for the county constituency of Brecon and Radnorshire in the room of Christopher Paul Davies, against whom since his election for the said county constituency a recall petition has been successful."

Speaker John Bercow repeated the words before MPs approved the request unopposed.

Mr Davies has been selected again by the Conservative Party to fight for the parliamentary seat he lost after more than 10,000 constituents signed a petition to remove him.