Tory leadership race latest LIVE: Mordaunt refuses ‘to back Johnson’s campaign’ as Braverman supports Sunak

Penny Mordaunt has refused to drop out of the race and support Boris Johnson, sources have said.

According to reports, Ms Mordaunt refused and is said to have warned that most of her support would switch to Rishi Sunak if she did.

Earlier, former Home Secretary Suella Braverman announced her support for Mr Sunak to be the next Prime Minister.

In an article for The Daily Telegraph, Ms Braverman said she believes Mr Sunak is the only candidate who can unite warring factions within the party.

Going further, she said now is not the time for “fantasies” and urged her colleagues not to be “naive” when choosing who should lead the country.

Adding: “I need a leader who will put our house in order and apply a steady, careful hand on the tiller. That person, for me, is Rishi Sunak.”

According to Sky News, Mr Sunak has 136 MPs who have publicly backed him, Mr Johnson, 57, and Penny Mordaunt, 24.

Goodnight from us

18:12 , Anthony France

That’s it from the Evening Standard’s live political coverage. Our teams will be back first thing on Monday.

Three more Tory MPs take Rishi Sunak’s declared total to 131

17:59 , Anthony France

Nus Ghani, the MP for Wealden, Stephen Crabb, who represents the Welsh seat of Preseli Pembrokeshire, and Chippenham MP Michelle Donelan have come out to back Rishi Sunak taking his declared total to 131.

Boris Johnson, who is yet to formally declare, has 47 and Penny Mordaunt, 25.

It is ‘morally unavoidable’ not to have a general election, says former mayoral candidate

17:37 , Bill Mcloughlin

Sunak spotted leaving campaign HQ

16:15 , Sami Quadri

Former chancellor Rishi Sunak stepped out of his central London campaign headquarters at 4.03pm and in to the back seat of a waiting chauffeured car.

He did not speak to the waiting press and ignored questions about the leadership race and whether he will become the next prime minister.

Penny Mordaunt ‘turns down Johnson’s request to quit leadership race’

15:40 , Sami Quadri

Boris Johnson has spoken to fellow Tory leadership hopeful Penny Mordaunt, sources close to the Commons leader have said.

The PA news agency understands that the former prime minister asked her to drop out and to back his campaign.

However she is said to have refused, warning that most of her support would switch to Rishi Sunak if she did.

Tory leadership process explained

15:33 , Sami Quadri

The timetable for replacing Liz Truss has been set out by Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee of Conservative backbenchers. So who gets to choose the next prime minister, how will the process work and when can we expect a result?

How much support will they need?

Brady has raised the threshold for the number of nominations needed to make the ballot. In the summer leadership election a candidate only needed the support of 20 MPs to make it to the ballot. This time they will need the backing of 100 MPs.

Given that there are 357 Tory MPs, this means a maximum of three candidates can make the ballot. However, if one candidate exceeds that threshold significantly, it may be a two-horse race from the outset. If only one candidate gets 100 nominations then they will automatically become the next leader.

When will the ballots take place?

The first ballot of MPs will be held between 3.30pm and 5.30pm on Monday. The result will be announced at 6pm and the candidate with least votes eliminated. If three candidates have stood and two therefore remain, an “indicative” vote will be held between 6.30pm and 8.30pm on Monday. The result will be announced at 9pm.

Do party members get a say?

Potentially. If neither of the final two candidates pulls out in favour of a “coronation” then the party will hold what it describes as an "expedited, binding, online vote of Conservative Party members" to choose the next leader. How this will work exactly is unclear.

When will the final result be announced?

Brady has promised that the next leader will be in place by a week on Monday, when Jeremy Hunt, the chancellor, is due to announce the government’s fiscal plan, and that the election process will be over by Friday.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly backs Boris Johnson

14:25 , Sami Quadri

Ireland’s Foreign Affairs Minister says its ‘impossible’ to find a solution to the Protocol

14:22 , Sami Quadri

Ireland’s Foreign Affairs Minister has said it is “impossible” for a solution to be found to the Northern Ireland Protocol impasse ahead of this week’s election deadline.

Simon Coveney said all sides need to work to try and avert an unnecessary election in Northern Ireland, adding it would be “unreasonable” for the UK Government to “force” an election.

“We are seeing the DUP in Northern Ireland asking for something before they’re willing to support devolved government again that can’t be delivered, until we have a functioning government in Westminster again,” he said.

“So unfortunately, political instability in the UK does have an impact here on the island of Ireland, north and south.”

He added: “An election that happens because (of) an ask that is impossible to deliver in the timeframe that we have, between now and next Friday, seems a very unreasonable basis to force an election in Northern Ireland.”

Suella Braverman backs Rishi Sunak

14:07 , Sami Quadri

Former home secretary Suella Braverman has endorsed Rishi Sunak in the Conservative leadership race.

She will be seen as another valuable backer for the ex-chancellor from the Tory right.

“I have backed Boris from the start,” she wrote in the Telegraph.

“But we are in dire straits now. We need unity, stability and efficiency. Rishi is the only candidate that fits the bill and I am proud to support him.”

Will Quince becomes the latest MP to back Rishi Sunak

13:10 , Bill Mcloughlin

Update on the leadership numbers

12:56 , Bill Mcloughlin

According to Sky News’ count, Rishi Sunak remains in the lead with 129 MPs who have publicly backed him. Boris Johnson has 57, and Penny Mordaunt 23.

Swinney urges Tories to ‘do the decent thing’ and call general election

12:27 , Sami Quadri

Scotland’s Deputy First Minister has called on the Tories to “do the decent thing” and call a general election, rather than electing another new leader and prime minister without going to the public.

John Swinney spoke out at the same time as Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy insisted the party could serve out its full five-year term in government at Westminster.

While Mr Swinney accused the Tories of game playing by installing another leader without a general election, Mr Hoy argued it was “perfectly legitimate” for parties to change leader without going to the country, claiming that an election would “only provide eight weeks of huge political instability”.

Chloe Smith becomes latest Cabinet minister to back Rishi

12:13 , Sami Quadri

Chloe Smith became the latest Cabinet minister to endorse Rishi Sunak in the Tory leadership race.

The Work and Pensions Secretary tweeted: “I spoke to @RishiSunak about his hopes for our country, and I’ve been listening to my local members.

“I intend to back Rishi to be prime minister, acting in the national interest and achieving the stability and opportunity that our nation needs.”

Grant Shapps backs Rishi Sunak

11:43 , Sami Quadri

Home Secretary Grant Shapps has become the latest Tory big beast to throw his weight behind Rishi Sunak in the party’s leadership race.

Mr Shapps tweeted: “We need someone who can provide stability and proven economic competence in these challenging times, and@RishiSunak is that person.

“That’s why I’m backing him in the Conservative leadership contest”.

Nadhim Zahawi backs Boris

11:29 , Bill Mcloughlin

Rishi Sunak announces he is standing to become Prime Minister

10:39 , Bill Mcloughlin

Dominic Raab says no deal has been struck between Sunak and Johnson

10:25 , Sami Quadri

Former cabinet minister Dominic Raab said he was not expecting a deal between Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, who he is backing.

Asked if the pair had done a deal during Saturday’s meeting, Mr Raab told BBC One’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: “No, I don’t think there’s any issue around deals here and that’s not the right way to proceed.”

Pressed further, Mr Raab said: “What would that deal involve?”

He went on to highlight the “range” of support Mr Sunak has among Tory MPs, adding: “What they did have was a very good conversation about the need for unity.”

Mr Raab went on: “I’d love to see Boris Johnson come back to frontline politics, I’m speaking personally.

“But we have this major issue which led to him having to resign, which is ‘partygate’, and in a matter of days, not weeks, he’s going to see televised witness testimony, including his own, which is going to take him right back into that spiral.”

Dominic Raab says a Sunak win will bring market stability

10:03 , Sami Quadri

Dominic Raab has said Rishi Sunak will calm the markets and help bring interest rates down if he becomes prime minister.

Mr Raab told the BBC that Mr Sunak is the “right person to take us forward for both economic and political reasons”.

Boris has a ‘great deal’ of support and will stand for leadership

09:55 , Sami Quadri

Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg says former Prime Minister Boris Johnson will “clearly” stand to be the next Tory leader, saying there’s a “great deal” of support for him.

Asked if Mr Johnson has secured support from more than 100 MPs, Rees-Mogg said “the people who are doing the numbers” for Johnson’s campaign say he does.

He told the BBC that Johnson has been “the greatest electoral asset” the Conservative Party has had in modern times.

Penny Mordaunt denies she offered to back Boris

09:47 , Sami Quadri

Penny Mordaunt has denied that she offered to back Boris Johnson in return for a job from him and insisted she is “in this to win it”.

Asked about reports suggesting such a deal, the Tory leadership candidate told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: “It’s completely false.”

Pressed on whether she would back Mr Johnson or Rishi Sunak, Ms Mordaunt said: “I’m standing to be prime minister. I am not contemplating how the other camps are organising themselves.”

She refused to say whether she would be comfortable with a comeback by Mr Johnson, saying: “It’s not about him, it’s not about me, it’s about the public.”

Ms Mordaunt also said: “I’m in this to win it. I think it’s important for our party, we have a contest. I am very confident about our numbers.”

Nadhim Zahawi backs Boris Johnson

09:42 , Sami Quadri

Nadhim Zahawi said he is backing Boris Johnson to return as Conservative leader and prime minister.

“I’m backing Boris. He got the big calls right, whether it was ordering more vaccines ahead of more waves of Covid, arming Ukraine early against the advice of some, or stepping down for the sake of unity. But now, Britain needs him back. We need to unite to deliver on our manifesto,” he tweeted.

“When I was chancellor, I saw a preview of what Boris 2.0 would look like. He was contrite & honest about his mistakes. He’d learned from those mistakes how he could run No10 & the country better.

“With a unified team behind him, he is the one to lead us to victory & prosperity.”

Penny Mordaunt says she was ‘halfway house’ between Truss and Sunak

09:27 , Sami Quadri

Penny Mordaunt has said she was a “halfway house” between Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak in the last contest and that she could unite the party.

The Tory leadership candidate told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: “I was a halfway house between Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak and I deeply regret that the debate now is about ‘are you for stability or low taxes’.

“That’s not the right construct. There are two sides of the same coin. You have to have stability in order to deliver low tax and you have to have low taxes in order to grow the economy and create that stability.

“That is what I am standing for. That is why I think I’m best placed to unite our party”

Penny Mordaunt remains hopeful despite lack of public support

09:24 , Sami Quadri

Penny Mordaunt has said she remains “confident” despite lagging behind in the leadership contest.

Ms Mordaunt is trailing behind Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak and has fewer than 30 public backers.

Asked about her lack of support, she replied: “I would remind you in the last contest I got 105. We’re taking support from other camps. Damian Green has joined my side from Rishi.”

“I am very confident about the progress we’re making and I’m in this to win it.”

Steve Baker says Sunak will follow through on Northern Ireland Protocol

09:19 , Sami Quadri

Steve Baker said Rishi Sunak will follow through on the current Northern Ireland Protocol policy if he becomes prime minister.

Mr Baker has come out in support of Rishi Sunak in the Tory leadership race.

“He will follow through on the current policy. Again, no one should be in doubt about this,” Mr Baker told Sky’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday.

He said he and Simon Hoare are in agreement that the “current policy needs to be carried forward”.

“The EU, and I hope they’ll hear me, the EU should understand there’s not going to be a change of policy,” he added.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith undecided on leadership contest

09:18 , Sami Quadri

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith has said he has not made up his mind in the Tory leadership race.

Asked if he had decided who he is backing, he said: “No…

“The problem is right now we have to decide whether or not we’re going to make a go of this last two years … or not. And therefore, if we’re going to pick somebody now we have to pick somebody that we will get behind and that’s it.”

He also said: “I desperately want my party to settle down.”

Penny Mordaunt says she is ‘best placed to unite party’

09:17 , Sami Quadri

Speaking to the BBC, leadership hopeful Penny Mordaunt said she is “best placed to unite the party” and that she will keep Jeremy Hunt on as Chancellor if she wins the contest.

“We recognise that we’re going into a difficult winter and people need to be supported through that...we have to be realistic about what we’ll do,” she said.

She refused to give a straight answer on whether she will make cuts to the NHS if she were to become prime minister.

“I’m not going to be drawn on the detail of this,” she said.

Conservative MP says Boris Johnson was in ‘top form’ during morning meeting

09:06 , Sami Quadri

Tory MP Sir James Duddridge has suggested Boris Johnson is still in the Tory leadership race, telling MPs that the Privileges Committee inquiry into ‘partygate’ would go ahead even if he returns as prime minister.

The ally of Mr Johnson tweeted: “Boris on good form at the 8am meeting with MPs. In a first for Boris he was rather smartly dressed!

“He made it very clear the privileges committee must and will be allowed to get on with their process. He will cooperate fully.”

He added that it was great to see “the boss reach out to the other camps”.

Tory MP Steve Baker says Boris Johnson would make great party chairman

09:02 , Sami Quadri

Steve Baker suggested Boris Johnson could be a “chairman” of the Tory party.

Mr Baker, the former head of backbench Brexiteers, told Sky’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday: “I think it would be for the best if Boris did something big and statesmanlike.

“I mean If he wants to come back as prime minister, he would need to do it after this privileges issue is settled.

“I think he’d make an amazing chairman of the party.

“But what we can’t do is have him as prime minister in circumstances where he’s bound to implode, taking down the whole government within and we just can’t do that again.”

Tory MP Chris Heaton-Harris says Boris Johnson ‘has the numbers’

08:58 , Sami Quadri

Conservative MP Chris Heaton-Harris says Boris Johnson is a “vote winner” and has secured the nominations needed to make it onto the leadership ballot.

“The Rishi camp knows we have the numbers, the Penny camp knows we have the numbers,” he said.

Steve Baker says Boris Johnson premiership would be ‘a guaranteed disaster’

08:53 , Sami Quadri

Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker said a Boris Johnson premiership would be “a guaranteed disaster”.

He told Sky’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday: “I’m afraid the trouble is because of the (Commons Privileges Committee) vote, Boris would be a guaranteed disaster.

“There’s going to be a vote before the House of Commons on this issue of privileges, whether he will deliberately misled the house.

“In that vote it’s guaranteed there’ll be a large number of Conservatives who will refuse, as they see it, to lay down their integrity to save him, and at that moment his premiership will collapse.”

He added: “It’s a guaranteed nailed-on failure and we cannot allow it to happen.”

Tory MP Damian Green confident Penny Mordaunt will get more than 100 backers

08:51 , Sami Quadri

Conservative MP Damian Green has said he is confident Penny Mordaunt will secure the backing of more than 100 Tory MPs.

Mr Green told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday that Ms Mordaunt is “attracting support from all wings of the party” and will create “calm stability”.

He said she is more than capable of winning the contest. His comments come despite Ms Mordaunt lagging behind in the contest with fewer than 30 public backers.

Steve Baker forgives Channel 4 presenter for swearing at him

08:48 , Sami Quadri

Steve Baker said he has forgiven Krishna Guru-Murthy for swearing at him during a live interview.

Mr Baker told Sky News: “To be fair I was tearing strips off him in a live interview…I’m not surprised his blood was up. I forgive him and that’s the end of it”.

Tory MP Steve Baker backs Rishi Sunak

08:36 , Sami Quadri

Northern Ireland Minister Steve Baker has announced he is supporting Rishi Sunak in the Tory leadership contest.

Mr Baker told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday that he believes Mr Sunak is the only candidate capable of delivering a “competent, capable and professional government we can rely on”.

He also criticsed Boris Johnson, saying he “doesn’t have meticulous compliance to tedious rules”.

“Boris would be a guaranteed disaster” because of the ongoing inquiry into Partygate, Mr Baker said.

“If Boris is in charge, his premiership will implode and we’ll be back here,” he added.

Nadine Dorries says party ‘would enter dangerous waters’ if Sunak wins

08:28 , Sami Quadri

Nadine Dorries said “only Boris is a proven winner” in a contest between him and Rishi Sunak.

She added that if the former chancellor was instead chosen, “we would enter unchartered and potentially dangerous waters”.

Writing in The Mail on Sunday, Ms Dorries added: “Any Tory MP who votes for Rishi Sunak tomorrow will be taking a risk with the future of the party.

“If he is chosen, power would be transferred out of the hands of the people who exercised their choice at the ballot box less than three years ago and placed into their own very privileged and already powerful hands.

“That would be an untenable and undemocratic position for us to be in. If that happens, I have no idea how we would be able to look voters in the eye and deny them a General Election that Labour is screaming out for…

“A Tory Party led into the next Election by anyone other than Boris Johnson would mean the country would be looking into the face of a Socialist government.”

Kemi ‘right' on Rishi, says MP

08:13 , Bill Mcloughlin

Tory party in an ‘existential crisis’, says chairman

08:09 , Bill Mcloughlin

Conservative Party chairman Sir Jake Berry joined the Business Secretary and Boris Johnson-supporter Mr Rees-Mogg in calling for the vote to be decided by members rather than MPs.

The Tory chairman told The Daily Telegraph the party's future was in the grip of an "existential crisis" and if the Tories believed in democracy, "members cannot be denied a say on who the next leader of the party is".

He added: "We have seen two Prime Ministers in a row effectively removed from office by MPs despite the fact that they have won the membership.

"I fear that it might be a point where members think 'what is really the point of being a member of the Conservative party'.

"Politics is not delivered in this country by 650 MPs sat in Parliament; it is delivered by thousands of Conservative councillors up and down the country who deliver elections for the party."

Rishi Sunak expected to formally enter race

07:40 , Sami Quadri

Rishi Sunak is expected to formally enter the race to be PM today with a promise to fix Britain’s economy.

The former Chancellor is storming ahead in the contest with the backing of more than 120 Tory MPs.

In a major coup for Mr Sunak, he bagged the endorsements of party big beasts Kemi Badenoch, Lord David Frost and David Davis.

Just six weeks ago, he lost the last Tory leadership race to Liz Truss. He was savaged by Tory MPs for being too gloomy after he warned her promises of huge tax cuts would tank the economy and send mortgage costs soaring.

Suella Braverman ‘heavily courted’ by both Johnson and Sunak

07:35 , Sami Quadri

Suella Braverman has been personally “heavily courted” by both Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak and is likely to decide who to back for the Tory leadership on Sunday, an ally of the ex-home secretary told the PA news agency.