Conservative leadership candidate Dame Priti Patel has been knocked out of the race after the first vote by party MPs.
The former home secretary was running against five other candidates to replace Rishi Sunak, but fell at the first hurdle, coming in last place in the ballot.
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Ex-immigration minister Robert Jenrick topped the poll with 28 votes, followed by the widely reported favourite Kemi Badenoch on 22.
Another former home secretary, James Cleverly, received 21 votes, ex-security minister Tom Tugendhat got 17, and the last work and pensions secretary Mel Stride was on 16. Dame Priti picked up just 14 votes.
A total of 118 votes were cast, meaning three Tory MPs didn’t have their say – with Sky News understanding one of those was Mr Sunak.
But there is still a way to go before the new leader of the opposition is crowned.
A further round of voting will take place next Monday to get the ballot down to four, and they will then face an onstage hustings during the Conservative Party conference at the end of the month.
After another vote by MPs, the wider party membership will then choose their leader from the last two standing, with the result expected to be announced on 2 November.
Robert Jenrick topped the poll of Tory MPs with 28 backers. Pic: PA
Dame Priti posted a statement on X later on Wednesday, thanking party members for their support during the campaign and calling on the other candidates to remember they are “the heart and soul of our party”.
She added: “To win back the trust of the British people, we must unite around our Conservative values and show how they can offer solutions to the challenges our country faces.”
Also posting on X after the result was confirmed, Ms Badenoch thanked her supporters, adding: “It’s time to deal with hard truths today, rather than big problems tomorrow.
“I look forward to making the case for renewal around the country, with colleagues and members.”
In his statement, Mr Tugendhat paid tribute to his “friend Priti” and the “good Conservatives” he is competing against.
But, he added: “Only I can deliver the Conservative revolution that our party and our nation need.
“I will lead in opposition as I would as prime minister, by serving the British people, leading with conviction, and acting to make our nation better. That is my promise, and I always deliver on my promises.”
Mr Stride said he was “delighted” to go through to the next round, adding: “There is all to play for and it’s clear where the ‘Melmentum’ is! I will restore trust and competence and lead us back into government.”
The result was announced by chairman of the 1922 Committee Bob Blackman (centre). Pic: PA
Dame Priti has been a Tory MP since 2010 and had the most experience of the candidates on the ballot.
She became a key torchbearer for the right when she served as home secretary under Boris Johnson, before being somewhat eclipsed by her successor, Suella Braverman.
But she had positioned herself as a unity candidate in this race, arguing the party should not let “a soap opera of finger-pointing and self-indulgence” distract from the goal of winning the next election.
Commenting on the contest, a Labour Party spokesperson said: “The Tories have successfully slimmed down the pool of contenders from six people who each played their hand in 14 years of chaos and decline, to five people who each played their hand in 14 years of chaos and decline.
“From what we have seen so far, not one of them is prepared to learn from the lessons of the past.”
