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Tory leadership election: Nigel Farage backs Angela Leadsom as next Prime Minister Tory leadership election: Nigel Farage backs Angela Leadsom as next Prime Minister
(about 1 hour later)
Nigel Farage has given his backing to Andrea Leadsom in the Conservative Party leadership contest, after she emerged, along with Theresa May, as one of two candidates in the running to become Britain’s next prime minister.  Nigel Farage has given his backing to Andrea Leadsom in the Conservative Party leadership contest, after she emerged, along with Theresa May, as one of two candidates in the running to become Britain’s next prime minister.  
Ms Leadsom came second in Thursday’s Tory leadership vote, garnering the support of 84 MPs, but lagged significantly behind the Home Secretary Ms May who won 199 votes. Ms Leadsom came second in Thursday’s Tory leadership vote, garnering the support of 84 MPs, but lagged significantly behind the Home Secretary Ms May who won 199 votes. 
Michael Gove, the Justice Secretary, was eliminated from race after being pushed back into third place with just 46 votes.Michael Gove, the Justice Secretary, was eliminated from race after being pushed back into third place with just 46 votes.
The leader of the party – and Prime Minister – will be chosen in a ballot of around 150,000 Conservative Party members in nine weeks’ time.The leader of the party – and Prime Minister – will be chosen in a ballot of around 150,000 Conservative Party members in nine weeks’ time.
Responding to the result, Mr Farage, the former Ukip leader and Leave campaigner, said over Twitter: “Congratulations to [Andrea Leadsom]. Important the next Prime Minister is a Brexiteer – she has my backing.”Responding to the result, Mr Farage, the former Ukip leader and Leave campaigner, said over Twitter: “Congratulations to [Andrea Leadsom]. Important the next Prime Minister is a Brexiteer – she has my backing.”
The next Prime Minister will face the hugely challenging and delicate task of disentangling Britain from the EU, whilst attempting to maintain the best possible deal for the country and Ms Leadsom, a prominent Leave campaigner, has previously refused to rule out the prospect of Mr Farage taking part in future Brexit talks.The next Prime Minister will face the hugely challenging and delicate task of disentangling Britain from the EU, whilst attempting to maintain the best possible deal for the country and Ms Leadsom, a prominent Leave campaigner, has previously refused to rule out the prospect of Mr Farage taking part in future Brexit talks.
Speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show on Sunday, Mr Leadsom was asked if, as leader, he would include Mr Farage in exit negotiations. Speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show on Sunday, Ms Leadsom was asked if, as leader, he would include Mr Farage in exit negotiations.
Mr Marr said some people claim Mr Farage is the "great victor of this [Brexit], in many respects, he should be there [ in the Brexit negotiations] and not pushed by the Westminster establishment."Mr Marr said some people claim Mr Farage is the "great victor of this [Brexit], in many respects, he should be there [ in the Brexit negotiations] and not pushed by the Westminster establishment."
Ms Leadsom replied: “I wouldn’t want to get into who would do what. What we need is somebody to lead the campaign who really believes in the opportunities.”Ms Leadsom replied: “I wouldn’t want to get into who would do what. What we need is somebody to lead the campaign who really believes in the opportunities.”
Mr Farage has served as an MEP, but is widely disliked in the European Parliament. He was, however, one of the most crucial figures on the Leave side in the referendum campaign. Mr Farage has served as an MEP but is widely disliked in the European Parliament. He was, however, one of the most crucial figures on the Leave side in the referendum campaign.
Ms Leadsom, who entered parliament only six years ago, said on Thursday her top priority would be to guarantee tariff-free trade with the EU after leaving.Ms Leadsom, who entered parliament only six years ago, said on Thursday her top priority would be to guarantee tariff-free trade with the EU after leaving.
Her prominent role in the Brexit campaign is is seen as one of her main advantages in the ongoing contest for the Conservative leadership as it may play well with grassroots party members who have strong eurosceptic leanings. Her prominent role in the Brexit campaign is seen as one of her main advantages in the ongoing contest for the Conservative leadership as it may play well with grassroots party members who have strong eurosceptic leanings.
Ms Leadsom has put her 25 years' experience working in financial services at the centre of her campaign to become leader, but some of her career credentials are being called into doubt. Reuters spoke to five of her former colleagues at Invesco, including four in senior management positions, who said Leadsom did not have a prominent role or manage client money. Ms Leadsom has put her 25 years' experience working in financial services at the centre of her campaign to become leader, but some of her career credentials are being called into doubt. Reuters spoke to five of her former colleagues at Invesco, including four in senior management positions, who said Ms Leadsom did not have a prominent role or manage client money.
She told the BBC that questions about her career record were "ridiculous" and her CV was "all absolutely true".She told the BBC that questions about her career record were "ridiculous" and her CV was "all absolutely true".
Boris Johnson, the former London mayor, has also endorsed Ms Leadsom. Following the Thursday's vote he said Ms Leadsom is "well placed to win" the Conservative leadership and will "replace absurd gloom" with an "optimistic approach".Boris Johnson, the former London mayor, has also endorsed Ms Leadsom. Following the Thursday's vote he said Ms Leadsom is "well placed to win" the Conservative leadership and will "replace absurd gloom" with an "optimistic approach".
Additional reporting by Press AssociationAdditional reporting by Press Association