Tory leadership race: Rishi Sunak leads pack in tightening contest
Tory leadership rivals are scrambling to catch former chancellor Rishi Sunak after he won the second round of voting to choose Boris Johnson’s successor.
Five candidates remain after Attorney General Suella Braverman was knocked out in Thursday’s vote.
Mr Sunak won 101 votes, Penny Mordaunt gained ground on him, with 83 votes, and Liz Truss came third with 64.
Ms Truss’s chances were boosted on Thursday evening when Ms Braverman backed the foreign secretary.
Former Brexit minister Steve Baker has also endorsed Ms Truss, and the BBC understands most of the 27 Tory MPs who voted for Ms Braverman are expected to do the same.
Former equalities minister Kemi Badenoch – who came fourth with 49 votes in Thursday’s vote – and foreign affairs committee chairman Tom Tugendhat – who was fifth on 32 – both say they are determined to stay in the contest.
The next round of voting, when the candidate with the least votes is eliminated, takes place on Monday.
The five remaining candidates will take part in televised debates on Friday on Channel 4, Sunday on ITV, and Tuesday on Sky.
Conservative leadership timetable
Monday 18 July – date for third round of voting, with result at 20:00
Tuesday 19 July – date of fourth round of voting, with result at 15:00
Wednesday 20 July – date of fifth round of voting, with result at 16:00
Thursday 21 July – deadline for deciding final two candidates
Monday 5 September – winner announced
