Andrea Leadsom pulls out of Conservative leadership race

Andrea Leadsom - credit Stefan Rousseau/PA 

Andrea Leadsom has pulled out of the race to become the next leader of the Conservative Party, claiming the six-week election campaign was “not in the interests of the country”.

The energy minister was challenging MPs favourite Theresa May for job, which would include becoming the next prime minister of the UK. She secured the backing of 84 MPs compared to May’s 199.

Leadsom said May should become prime minister immediately. With the support of fewer than 25 per cent of Tory MPs, Leadsom would not have been able to run a strong government, she told reporters.

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Leadsom was a prominent campaigner for Leave in the recent EU referendum, while May campaigned for Remain. In recent days Leadsom had experienced intense pressure after suggesting being a mother made her a better candidate for prime minister.

The party’s influential 1922 committee will decide whether May becomes prime minister unopposed or if another challenger will enter the ballot.

Fellow Leave campaigners Michael Gove and Liam Fox were eliminated in earlier rounds of voting among MPs.