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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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Theresa May 'bookies favourite' for Tory leader

Credit: PA

Theresa May appears to be the front runner in the race to be the next leader of the Conservative party.

At the end of a day of political manoeuvering, with five candidates in the running and Boris Johnson having left the stage, bookmakers put Ms May as the odds-on favourite, with Michael Gove, the justice secretary, her most likely rival.

Former defence secretary Liam Fox appeared to have attracted the fewest backers, leaving him behind energy minister Andrea Leadsom and Stephen Crabb, the work and pensions secretary.

The five candidates now have until Tuesday to build sufficient support to survive the first round of voting.

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