Former Henley MP Boris Johnson has said he will not stand to become Conservative Party leader and the next Prime Minister.

Mr Johnson had been favourite to succeed Witney MP David Cameron after he annonced he would quit following the EU referendum.

But today Mr Johnson said he would not stand after consulting his colleagues.

It comes after Michael Gove entered the leadership race this morning.

Wantage MP Ed Vaizey was one of the first parliamentarians to declare his support for Mr Gove, the Secretary of State for Justice.

Mr Vaizey said on Twitter that deciding who to back had been "agonising" but that Mr Gove had made his mind up.

Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood has said she will be back Home Secretary Theresa May in the contest.

She said: "Theresa May is the only candidate I trust in these turbulent times- grit competence and compassion in equal measure."



Candidates have been sounding out their parliamentary colleagues since then but nominations did not officially open until yesterday.

They closed at midday.

Energy minister Andrea Leadsom, former Defence Secretary Liam Fox and Work and Pensions Secretary Liam Fox have said they will stand.