91Èȱ¬

Conservative MP Alex Burghart has defended not visiting Northern Ireland during his time as shadow secretary of state.

Burghart has claimed "getting the funding for trips" has "not been as easy" as he would have liked.

He has served in the role since July, following the general election.

His party, he said, has been "in flux" and it has been "very annoying" that he has not been able to visit.

"I very, very much wanted to come and if I had the money to do so I absolutely would have done so," he told 91Èȱ¬'s Good Morning Ulster programme.

The shadow secretary of state said he has visited Northern Ireland "many times" in previous government roles and has "spoken to a great deal of people in Westminster and on the phone" in his current position.

"I am very much engaged in this job," he insisted.

"I hope one of the reasons I was appointed to the role is that I am very familiar with Northern Ireland, have a great fondness for it," he added.

Burghart's comments come one day after voting ended in the contest to replace Rishi Sunak as Conservative leader.

The winner will be announced on Saturday morning, almost four months after the Tories' crushing general election defeat which triggered Sunak's resignation.

Party members have been choosing between former Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch and ex-immigration minister Robert Jenrick, after four other candidates were eliminated in a series of votes by the party's MPs.

Burghart has endorsed Badenoch for the leadership.