Irish Sea protocol and Scottish independence vote uncertainty 'face next Tory leader'

Many of the candidates are telling the Conservative electors they will cut personal and business taxes should they win

Rishi Sunak speaking at the launch of his campaign to be Conservative Party leader narrowly leads the race.

A new British leader is likely to follow "a broadly prudent path" for the public finances but uncertainty over the Irish Sea protocol and calls for a vote on Scottish independence will face whoever wins the Tory party contest, ratings firm DBRS has said. 

The assessment comes as the list of candidates seeking to be named the next British prime minister by early September thinned somewhat, with former chancellor Rishi Sunak still narrowly leading the race, according to the latest bookmaker odds.