Boris Johnson has officially pulled out of the race to succeed David Cameron as Prime Minister.
The announcement came just hours after suspected running mate Michael Gove turned his back on the former London Mayor and announced his own leadership bid.
He had been one of the favourites to become the new Conservative leader after successfully leading the Leave campaign but has now decided not to put his name forward.
In a dramatic press conference just moments before the deadline for nominations passed, Mr Johnson said that the next Tory leader would have to unify his party and ensure that Britain stood tall in the world.
Speaking at St Ermin’s hotel in Central London, Mr Johnson told journalists, “Having consulted colleagues and in view of the circumstances in Parliament, I have concluded that person cannot be me.”.”
He said it was vital “we bring together everyone who has campaigned for Remain and Leave” in the EU campaign.
“This is our chance to unite our party… and at the same time unite our country and our society,” he said.
The former London mayor’s decision not to join the battle leaves Home Secretary Theresa May as hot favourite to be the next Prime Minister.
Mr Gove, who is also joined by Stephen Crabb, Liam Fox and Andrea Ledsom in the race for Number 10, previously ruled himself out for the job at an EU referendum debate earlier this month.
Answering a question on whether or not he was interested in becoming Prime Minister, Mr Gove said he was “absolutely not” in the running.
“I am absolutely not,” he said. “But one thing I can tell you is that there are lots of talented people who could be prime minister after David Cameron. But count me out.”
But less than a week after the British public voted for Brexit, the Justice Secretary has performed a remarkable about-turn, and in doing so stabbed his fellow Leave campaigner Boris Johnson in the back.
Mr Gove, who had been expected to back the former London mayor in his bid to become prime minister, declared that he too will seek to lead the Tories after concluding Mr Johnson “cannot provide the leadership or build the team for the task ahead”.
