Sajid Javid pulls out of leadership race to succeed Boris Johnson as Tory leader and PM

Sajid Javid speaking during the launch of his campaign to be Conservative Party leader on Monday. Credit: PA

Sajid Javid has withdrawn from the race to succeed Boris Johnson as Tory leader and prime minister, after struggling to get to the required 20 nominations to go through to the first round of voting.

The former health secretary and former chancellor, who resigned in protest of Mr Johnson last week, dropped out of the race shortly before it was announced which of the candidates had reached enough support to progress.

Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss, Tom Tugendhat, Penny Mordaunt, Kemi Badenoch, Nadhim Zahawi, Jeremy Hunt and Suella Braverman will go into the first ballot of MPs in the contest, Sir Graham Brady announced on Tuesday evening.

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Sir Graham Brady (in the middle) announces which MPs have gained the support of the 20 required MPs. Credit: PA

In a statement, Mr Javid said: "I look forward to seeing the debate unfold and to see colleagues working together as a united Conservative Party once the leadership election is concluded.”

He added that there is an "abundance of both ideas and talent" within the Tory party, saying the "party must now look outwards, not inwards, if we are to win again."

Earlier, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced that he was abandoning his bid and would be supporting Mr Sunak, the former chancellor. Backbencher Rehman Chishti – seen as the rank outsider – also said that he was dropping out having failed to get enough nominations.

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