South Worcestershire MPs reveal who they are supporting for leader

So far only Robin Walker and Harriett Baldwin have publicly announced who they are supporting, with only Nigel Huddleston yet to announce his support for any candidate in the race to succeed Boris Johnson.

Worcester MP Mr Walker announced he was supporting county colleague Sajid Javid, who represents Bromsgrove.

It was he who nominated Mr Javid for the leadership in 2019.

He said: "I was proud to nominate him three years ago and he has shown real leadership since.

"We need someone of his integrity and experience to get on with the job and focus on delivery from day one."

Mrs Baldwin, representing West Worcestershire, is not supporting Mr Javid and has instead thrown her weight behind former defence secretary Penny Mordaunt.

Announcing her support, she said: "Lots of talented colleagues are standing to be Conservative leader.

"I’m endorsing the UK’s first and only female defence secretary, navy reservist, fab performer at the despatch box and author of 'Greater' - Penny Mordaunt."

Mr Huddleston, representing Mid Worcestershire, has so far refrained from publicly backing any candidate for Prime Minister.

Last week, he was one of the few ministers who did not resign from Boris Johnson's government, instead releasing a statement in which he called for the Prime Minister to continue and focus on issues including the cost of living and the war in Ukraine.

The sports minister backed Sajid Javid in the 2019 leadership contest.

Having announced his resignation last week, Boris Johnson said on Monday he would not publicly support any candidate in the leadership race, adding: "I would not want to damage anyone's chances."

North Herefordshire MP Bill Wiggin has not publicly supported any candidate, but is understood to have sounded out parliamentary colleagues about whether they would support his own bid.

Currently Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt are leading the running, with nine other candidates having announced their campaigns.