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Tory leadership contest: James Cleverly withdraws from race Tory leadership: Malthouse becomes second candidate to pull out
(about 5 hours later)
Brexit Minister James Cleverly has withdrawn from the Conservative Party's leadership race, almost a week after declaring his intention to stand. Housing Minister Kit Malthouse has become the second MP to pull out of the Conservative leadership race.
The Tory MP said it had "become clear" it was "highly unlikely" he would progress to the final two candidates that will appear on the ballot paper. He said it had become clear in the last few days there was an "appetite for this contest to be over quickly".
"Unfortunately and with a heavy heart I've decided to withdraw from the race," he told the BBC. Earlier, Brexit Minister James Cleverly became the first to withdraw from the contest, less than a week after declaring his intention to stand.
This leaves 12 Tory MPs competing for the top job. It leaves 11 Tory MPs competing for the top job. Theresa May stands down as leader on Friday.
The executive of the party's backbench 1922 Committee will meet later to decide the rules and timings for the leadership election. She will remain PM until a successor is named.
Theresa May stands down as leader of the Conservative Party on Friday - she will remain PM until a successor is named at the end of July. The executive of the party's backbench 1922 Committee has been meeting to decide whether to change the rules for the leadership election to speed up the process.
In a statement, Mr Cleverly said he had wanted to deliver Brexit and then move the conversation on to other important issues. Mr Malthouse said he entered the contest "believing that I could make a real difference in delivering a Brexit that would command the support of the House of Commons".
"I had hoped that the Conservative parliamentary party would support me to be the face and voice of that conversation," he said. But he said his experience in politics had made him a "realist", and there was a desire "for the nation to have a new leader in place as soon as possible".
"To do this I asked them to make a leap of faith, skip a generation and vote for a relatively new MP. His name was given to the so-called Malthouse Compromise - a proposal drawn up by backbenchers from Leave and Remain wings of the Tory Party, which would have implemented Mrs May's Brexit deal with the controversial Irish backstop replaced by "alternative arrangements".
In his statement, Mr Cleverly said it had "become clear" it was "highly unlikely" he would progress to the final two candidates that will appear on the ballot paper.
"Unfortunately and with a heavy heart I've decided to withdraw from the race."
He said he had hoped to be "the face and voice of" of a new conversation within the party and had asked colleagues "to make a leap of faith, skip a generation and vote for a relatively new MP".
"It is clear that despite much support, particularly from our party's grassroots, MPs weren't comfortable with such a move and it has become clear that it is highly unlikely that I would progress to the final two candidates.""It is clear that despite much support, particularly from our party's grassroots, MPs weren't comfortable with such a move and it has become clear that it is highly unlikely that I would progress to the final two candidates."
Who will replace Theresa May?Who will replace Theresa May?
The winner of the contest to lead the Conservative Party will become the next prime minister.The winner of the contest to lead the Conservative Party will become the next prime minister.
The deadline to put names forward is the week commencing 10 June and all candidates must have at least two MPs supporting them to take part.The deadline to put names forward is the week commencing 10 June and all candidates must have at least two MPs supporting them to take part.
After nominations close, all 313 Conservative MPs will vote for their preferred candidate in a series of polls that will whittle down the contenders one by one until only two are left.After nominations close, all 313 Conservative MPs will vote for their preferred candidate in a series of polls that will whittle down the contenders one by one until only two are left.
The wider Tory membership of 124,000 will then vote the two candidates.The wider Tory membership of 124,000 will then vote the two candidates.
Mr Cleverly's withdrawal comes following criticism of the high number of people who are running and there have been calls to change the rules - such as increasing the initial number of nominations needed to take part. The candidates' withdrawal comes following criticism of the high number of people who are running and there have been calls to change the rules - such as increasing the initial number of nominations needed to take part.
Housing Secretary James Brokenshire said on Monday that some candidates should consider pulling out because the party needs to find a new leader fast.Housing Secretary James Brokenshire said on Monday that some candidates should consider pulling out because the party needs to find a new leader fast.