Paul Ryan secures support of Freedom Caucus in race to be House Speaker

Paul Ryan, the 2012 Republican vice-presidential nominee, is on course to become the next speaker of the House of Representatives after winning the support of the hardline Freedom Caucus.

The post is the most senior in Congress and second in the line of succession to the president.

Mr Ryan, who is the chairman of Ways and Means Committee, on Tuesday put himself forward to replace John Boehner, who announced his resignation last month one day after hosting Pope Francis - so long as he won the support of conservatives as well as moderates.

[link to www.telegraph.co.uk]