Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer release statements congratulating Joe Biden on presidential election victory

The 77-year-old has become the 46th President of the United States

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labour leader Keir Starmer have both released statements congratulating incumbent President Joe Biden on his election victory over Donald Trump. Victory was secured on Saturday afternoon when Biden took Pennsylvania. Securing that state exceeded the 270 Electoral College vote threshold needed to guarantee a win. It sparked jubilant scenes all over the United States, in Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and particularly in downtown New York - Trump's hometown. The UK's political heavyweights have now weighed in with their good wishes for Biden and his Vice President, Kamala Harris. Prime Minister Boris Johnson posted his statement on social media, which reads: "Congratulations to Joe Biden on his election as President of the United States and to Kamala Harris on her historic achievement. "The US is our most important ally and I look forward to working closely together on our shared priorities, from climate change to trade and security." https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1325133262075940864?s=20 Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: "Congratulations to @JoeBiden on his election as President of the United States of America. He ran a campaign on the values that we in the United Kingdom share - decency, integrity, compassion and strength." https://twitter.com/Keir_Starmer/status/1325116305540780032?s=20 Joe Biden himself released an emotional thank you video, commenting: "America, I'm honored that you have chosen me to lead our great country. "The work ahead of us will be hard, but I promise you this: I will be a President for all Americans — whether you voted for me or not. "I will keep the faith that you have placed in me." https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1325118992785223682 It would be accurate, and somewhat of an understatement - to say the Trump campaign has not taken defeat well. While Trump himself spent an afternoon on the golf course, his campaign staffers released a statement in which they pledged to go after Biden and the Democrats in court.