Tory leadership: Sajid Javid knocked out of contest

Sajid Javid has been knocked out of the Tory leadership race, leaving three contenders vying for the job and to be the next PM.

The home secretary received 34 votes coming behind Jeremy Hunt with 59 votes.

Michael Gove received 61 votes and frontrunner Boris Johnson got 157.

A fifth round of voting will take place between 15:30 BST and 17:30 to select the final two candidates.

That result is due at about 18:15.



The remaining two MPs will go forward into a run-off of the party’s 160,000 or so members, and the winner will be announced in the week of 22 July.

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The BBC’s political editor Laura Kuenssberg said: “The question is now, where do Mr Javid’s votes go?

“His supporters have been an interesting mixed bag so it is not easy to read where they go.”

Mr Javid is not expected to endorse anyone publicly this afternoon.

Leader of the Scottish Conservatives Ruth Davidson – a key supporter of Sajid Javid – said she now wanted Michael Gove in the final two. Ms Davidson is not an MP and therefore does not get a vote in the fifth ballot.

Mr Javid said he was “truly humbled by the support I have received”.

“If my ambition and conduct in this contest has set an example for anyone, then it has been more than worth it,” he said.

“These are very challenging times ahead for our party and our government… the Conservatives must continue to be a broad church.”

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Addressing his comments to “kids who look and feel a bit different to their classmates” he said: “Don’t let anyone try and cut you down to size or say you aren’t a big enough figure to aim high.

“You have as much right as anyone to a seat at the top table.”

Ex-Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said he was “incredibly grateful” for the support from MPs, but added “we have much more work to do”.

 

Source: BBC