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Theresa May gains strong support from Conservative MPs

Theresa May has won the backing of four times as many MPs as any other candidate for the Conservative Party leadership, a survey by ITV News shows.

Of 139 MPs who have spoken to ITV News, 82 said they would be supporting the Home Secretary.

Earlier, Michael Gove declared himself "the candidate for change" as he set out his pitch to become Conservative leader and prime minister.

Gove said after last week's referendum vote for Brexit, the new prime minister must be someone who fought on the Leave side - effectively ruling out Mrs May, who was part of the Remain campaign, even though her contributions to it were notably low-key.

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'Global player' Boris should 'push the button' on Brexit

Liz Truss has said it is time to "push the button" on Brexit, as she endorsed Boris Johnson as the "global player" the UK needs to lead it into "uncharted territory".

The Environment Secretary told ITV News Mr Johnson is the "type of person we need" as Prime Minister, as she lauded the "fantastic job" he did as Mayor of London.

The MP for South West Norfolk also called for swift negotiations on Britain's new relationship with the EU.

"In my view the British people have spoken, there's no going back," she said. "We do need to press the button on exit and get on with it, because there would be a huge gap in trust if we were not to deliver on what was a referendum with an incredibly high turnout.

"I personally didn't argue for that but... I believe when the people speak we need to listen and we need to deliver."

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Theresa May gains strong support from Conservative MPs

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