Prominent Conservative MEP Daniel Hannan has said he fears the party is facing “total wipeout” in the European elections and will be left without any representation at all.

The Brexiteer, who has been a member for South East England since 1999, said he suspected the Conservatives would be left with “zero MEPs” following Thursday’s poll.

The Tories face an uneasy wait for the results of the European contests, which will not start being announced until Sunday night.

Opinion polls have suggested Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party is on course for victory, with the election only taking place in the UK because of the delay to Britain’s departure from the EU.

Giving his grim prediction after polls closed, Mr Hannan tweeted: “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.”

The election will see 73 MEPs chosen to represent the UK.

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