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Penny Mordaunt to stand for Tory leadership Penny Mordaunt moves first in race to replace Liz Truss
(36 minutes later)
Penny Mordaunt ran in the contest to replace Boris Johnson over the summer
Penny Mordaunt has become the first Conservative MP to say they will run to replace Liz Truss as prime minister.Penny Mordaunt has become the first Conservative MP to say they will run to replace Liz Truss as prime minister.
The Commons leader said she was standing to "unite our country" and win the next general election.The Commons leader said she was standing to "unite our country" and win the next general election.
Rishi Sunak is also thought to be a likely candidate, and has got the most public nominations from MPs so far. Rishi Sunak is yet to confirm he is standing, but has already amassed 72 of the 100 nominations required to run.
Boris Johnson has not ruled out a dramatic comeback, months after being forced out of No 10 after a Tory revolt.Boris Johnson has not ruled out a dramatic comeback, months after being forced out of No 10 after a Tory revolt.
The former prime minister has 39 MPs backing him, behind his former chancellor Rishi Sunak with 66 declared backers so far. The former prime minister - who is currently out of the country - has 41 MPs backing him. Ms Mordaunt currently trails them both, with only 17 public supporters.
Follow live: Mordaunt enters leadership raceFollow live: Mordaunt enters leadership race
Penny Mordaunt: Brexiteer popular with grassrootsPenny Mordaunt: Brexiteer popular with grassroots
Ms Mordaunt, who like Mr Sunak failed in a bid to replace Mr Johnson over the summer, is further behind with 17. Ms Mordaunt is currently Commons leader and was briefly defence secretary under Theresa May.
She has been in and around government for the best part of a decade, and was briefly defence secretary under Theresa May. The 49-year-old Portsmouth North MP backed Brexit and has worked hard to build up her profile with party activists, but did not get enough support from MPs to reach the members' ballot last time.
The 49-year-old Portsmouth North MP backed Brexit and has worked hard to build up her profile with party activists, but did not get enough nominations to reach the members' ballot last time. Tory party bosses have decided contenders will need 100 nominations from fellow Conservative MPs, a much higher threshold than normal, meaning no more than three MPs will be able to stand.
Penny Mordaunt may be hoping to benefit from first mover advantage by getting out in front and getting a bandwagon rolling.
In the final ballot of MPs in last summer's contest, she got 105 votes.
So moving early may be a way of trying to lock in some of those before others join the race.
She's clearly trying to pitch herself as the person to bring unity to the Conservative Party.
There is serious disquiet among some MPs about a possible return by Boris Johnson, and opposition from others to Rishi Sunak too.
But Ms Mordaunt's weakness compared to both may be her relative lack of experience in senior jobs in government.
After Liz Truss, and in the middle of a crisis, are Conservative MPs in the mood to go for another untested leader?
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has ruled himself out of the contest, adding he is "leaning towards" backing Boris Johnson.Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has ruled himself out of the contest, adding he is "leaning towards" backing Boris Johnson.
He told reporters Mr Johnson had a "mandate" from the 2019 general election and "could win the next election".
But Tory MP Jesse Norman, one of scores of ministers to quit Mr Johnson's government, said bringing him back would be an "absolutely catastrophic decision".
If Mr Johnson did make a comeback it would be unprecedented in British political history, coming three months after being forced out by his own MPs after a string of scandals.
'Indicative' MP ballot
Polling suggests he remains popular with Tory members, but another tilt at the leadership could prove divisive among Tory MPs, some of whom have said they would quit politics if he came back.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has ruled himself out, along with Security Minister Tom Tugendhat and former cabinet minister Michael Gove.Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has ruled himself out, along with Security Minister Tom Tugendhat and former cabinet minister Michael Gove.
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman and International Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch are thought to be considering bids.Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman and International Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch are thought to be considering bids.
Candidates to replace Ms Truss need support from at least 100 colleagues, meaning no more than three can get on the ballot. Contenders have until 2pm on Monday to find 100 backers. If three reach the threshold, Conservative MPs will knock one out in a ballot on the same day.
Contenders have until 2pm on Monday to find 100 backers. If three reach the threshold, MPs will knock one out in a ballot on the same day.
MPs will hold an "indicative" ballot of the final two, with the winner then decided in an online vote of party members to finish on Friday next week.MPs will hold an "indicative" ballot of the final two, with the winner then decided in an online vote of party members to finish on Friday next week.