The Brexiteer, who has been a member for South East England since 1999, said he suspected the Conservatives may be left with “zero MEPs” when the results of Thursday’s vote are declared. Mr Hannan wrote on Twitter: “Thank you to everyone who voted for the Conservatives today. My sense, for what it’s worth, is that we are facing a total wipeout – zero MEPs. I just hope our next leader can get Brexit over the line.” 

Results of the EU elections will be announced after 10pm on Sunday, when the final polls have closed across Europe.

Today voters in Ireland will cast their vote, whilst the polls are also open in the Czech Republic.

In the UK, 73 MEPs will be chosen to represent the UK in the Brussels parliament.

England is divided into nine regions, with seats allocated based on population.

South East England will elect 10 MEPs, London and North West England each have eight, East of England and the West Midlands each have seven.

Yorkshire and the Humber and South West England have six each, the East Midlands has five and North East England has three.

Meanwhile Scotland has six MEPs, Wales four and Northern Ireland three.

Follow Express.co.uk for live European Election updates below:

9.15am update: Theresa May to meet with 1922 chairman in Downing Street

Prime Minister Theresa May has returned to Downing Street this morning ahead of a crunch meeting with Sir Graham Brady, chairman of 1922 committee of backbenchers.

Mrs May is expected to make an announcement on her future following the talks.

9.00am update: Ken Clarke claims Tory MPs did not vote Conservative

Veteran Tory MP Ken Clarke has suggested the majority of Tory MPs did not support their own party in the European election.

The former chancellor told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I suspect the majority of Conservative MPs did not vote Conservative yesterday.”

8.40am update: Ukip deputy leader quits and launches leadership bid

Ukip deputy leader Mike Hookem has announced he has resigned and will run for party leader.

Mr Hookem said he can no longer support the direction of party leader Gerard Batten and wants to offer “a real alternative” to his leadership that would “consolidate and rebuild our party”.

Mr Batten has already said he will stand down on June 2, prompting a leadership contest.

In a letter sent to party officials at the close of polls in the European elections, Mr Hookem said: “I believe Ukip always has been and always should be a libertarian party that encourages and promotes common-sense policies with a broad electoral appeal.

“However, under Mr Batten’s leadership, and despite my appeals, Ukip has been derailed from this objective.

“Mr Batten’s policy direction and associations have given the mainstream media the ammunition to label our party ‘extreme’ and ‘far-right’, accusations I do not believe to be true.”

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