Home Secretary Priti Patel has ruled herself out of the Conservative leadership race just a few hours before nominations close. The senior Conservative had been anticipated to launch a bid today but released a statement saying her focus would stay on the day job.
It comes after Transport Secretary Grant Shapps became the first to drop out of the race leaving the number of nominees currently standing at 10. Nominations are open until 6 pm, after which Sir Graham Brady, who chairs the Tory backbench 1922 Committee, will reveal who has made the first cut.
Ms. Patel said she was grateful for the encouragement and support colleagues and party members have offered me in recent days suggesting that I enter the contest, but added: I will not be putting my name forward for the ballot of MPs.
As home secretary, I have always put the security and safety of our country and the national interest first and my focus is to continue working to get more police on our streets, support our amazing security services to keep our country safe, and control our borders.
Ms. Patel did not reveal whom she is backing in the contest to replace Boris Johnson, instead saying she would be “listening to cases being put forward by the candidates and trust the contest will be conducted in a good spirit that brings our party together.
