Boris pulls out of leadership race leaving Penny and Rishi to battle it out

Boris Johnson sensationally pulled out of the leadership race last night leaving Penny Mordaunt scrambling to pic up enough votes to get past 100 this afternoon so she can go head-to-head against Rishi Sunak.

On Sunday evening Rishi Sunak was reported to be on 153 after receiving the backing of key figures including Suella Braverman, Grant Shapps and Steve Baker.

Penny Mordaunt had just 28 backers.

Levelling Up Secretary Simon Clarke and Tees Valley Metro Mayor Ben Houchen had published a joint statement in The Telegraph on Friday backing Boris.

Clarke had previously backed Truss and Houchen had backed Rishi in the summer leadership contest.

Boris said in a statement on Sunday evening:

“I can confirm that I have cleared the very high hurdle of 102 nominations, including a proposer and a seconder, and I could put my nomination in tomorrow.

“There is a very good chance that I would be successful in the election with Conservative Party members – and that I could indeed be back in Downing Street on Friday.

“But in the course of the last days I have sadly come to the conclusion that this would simply not be the right thing to do. You can’t govern effectively unless you have a united party in Parliament.

“And though I have reached out to both Rishi and Penny – because I hoped that we could come together in the national interest – we have sadly not been able to work out a way of doing this.

“Therefore I am afraid the best thing is that I do not allow my nomination to go forward and commit my support to whoever succeeds.

“I believe I have much to offer but I am afraid that this is simply not the right time.”

WHAT’S NEXT

Nominations for the race close later today and candidates making it through must have the support of 100 Tory MPs.

If more than one candidate gets through then the first round of voting takes place at 15:30.

That result is announced at 18:00. If three make it through the candidate with the fewest votes is knocked out.

At 18:30 and ‘Indicative’ ballot is held if two candidates are left and one may drop out.

If two candidates make it through Conservative Party members have the chance to vote online.

On Friday the final vote closes and Britain’s new Prime Minister is announced.

Clarke’s housing minister Lee Rowley (pictured) is holding his cards close to his chest, saying yesterday that: “Far too much attention, so far, on personalities rather than politics in the leadership election We’re twelve years in. We’ve made mistakes. We’re facing an existential crisis First, I want to know “what” & “how” not “who” So, candidates / poss candidates: what’s the plan?”.