Rishi still in the running for PM but who are the North East Conservative MPs supporting?
The race to succeed Boris Johnson as Prime Minister is getting closer, with just three candidates remaining in the Tory leadership contest.
Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss and Penny Mordaunt will face the fifth ballot on Wednesday 20 July.
Eight candidates received nominations required to take part in the first ballot last week. Since then Jeremy Hunt, Nadhim Zahawi, Suella Braverman and, most recently on Tuesday, Kemi Badenoch have been knocked out.
The former Chancellor and Richmond MP Rishi Sunak is one of the favourites to succeed Mr Johnson.
The contest comes following Boris Johnson's announcement on 7 July that he would resign as party leader.
He will stay as a caretaker prime minister until a new leader is elected.
But who are our North East MPs supporting?
Richard Holden
The MP for North West Durham has confirmed he will back Rishi Sunak to become the next prime minister.
He said: “I think he has really delivered for the people during Covid and is prepared to make the tough choices which are necessary like investing in our NHS."
Robert Goodwill
The Scarborough & Whitby MP is supporting his constituency neighbour Mr Sunak, describing him as "an experienced leader" who showed "tremendous leadership and judgment during the pandemic".
He added he is backing the former chancellor as the country needs a "clear plan".
Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Berwick MP Anne-Marie Trevelyan put her support initially in Tom Tugendhat, but after he was knocked out announced her backing for Liz Truss.
She said Ms Truss would bring "strong Tory economic policy, understanding of our responsibilities on the world stage and strength to deal with the tough choices".
Peter Gibson
Another North East MP supporting Mr Sunak. The Darlington MP announced his support on Facebook, calling his neighbouring politician a "tireless champion" for levelling up and praising the decision to build the new treasury offices in Darlington.
Simon Clarke
The Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP is backing Ms Truss. In a Tweet she said that she is the right choice for job for a number of reasons.
According to Mr Clarke, Ms Truss is an "experienced and tested leader" with a "clear plan for economic growth and spending discipline that unifies support from all wings of the Conservatives".
Dehenna Davison
The first ever Conservative MP for Bishop Auckland, Ms Davison first threw her support behind Liz Truss during a Question Time appearance.
She has since said Ms Truss is the "whole package" and is the "only person who can keep the entire blue wall standing".
Kevin Hollinrake
Another neighbour of Rishi Sunak is Thirsk and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake. He is backing the former chancellor and said he had a reputation for "calm competence" and is "head and shoulders" above the other candidates.
Jacob Young
Redcar's MP is another one in Rishi Sunak's corner. He released a statement on Friday 8 July confirming his support, calling him a "great friend to Teesside".
Andrew Jones
Harrogate & Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has made it known he is backing fellow North Yorkshire colleague Mr Sunak in the contest.
Jill Mortimer
Hartlepool MP Jill Mortimer has said she is backing Penny Mordaunt.
She believes Ms Mordaunt will unite the Conservative party and said: "She has service in her blood and will lead our country with integrity heart and strength."
Ms Mortimer became Hartlepool's first female MP in a landslide victory over Labour in a by-election in 2021.
Paul Howell
The Sedgefield MP Paul Howell is supporting constituency neighbour Rishi Sunak in the Conservative leadership race.
Mr Howell said the decision was down to seeing first-hand "all that he has done for Darlington and the North East more broadly."
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