Penny Mordaunt has become the first MP to declare to be running in the Tory leadership campaign
Announcing her candidacy the current leader of the Commons said:
“I’ve been encouraged by support from colleagues who want a fresh start, a united party and leadership in the national interest.
“I’m running to be the leader of the Conservative Party and your Prime Minister – to unite our country, deliver our pledges and win the next General Election ”
Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak are also tipped to make the first three contenders for the Tory leadership.
Earlier the Defence Secretary Ben Wallace ruled himself out and said he is ‘leaning towards’ Boris Johnson.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Business Secretary, has also announced his backing for the former premier this morning along with Simon Clarke, the Levelling Up Secretary
However Jesse Norman, a Foreign Office minister, said choosing Boris Johnson to be the next Tory leader would be an “absolutely catastrophic decision”.
The 60-strong European Research Group of Conservative MPs will convene a full plenary meeting on Monday morning to discuss who it should back in the leadership contest.
Sunak is the bookmakers’ favourite at the moment
Any candidate will need to have the backing of 100 Tory MP’s by Monday lunchtime
Liz Truss meanwhile is being urged not to take the yearly £115,000 allowance made available to former prime ministers
