Matt Hancock could quit Tory leadership race

Matt Hancock is preparing to pull out of the Tory leadership race, it has been claimed.

Tory insiders told PoliticsHome the Health Secretary could quit as early as Friday after coming sixth in the first ballot of Tory MPs.

That would spark a scramble among the other contenders to win the backing of the 20 MPs who supported Hancock.

Sources in Rory Stewart's camp said they hoped that up to half of them could back their man, who came seventh in the first ballot with 19 votes.

According to The Times, Hancock met with Sajid Javid - who came fifth with 23 votes - but the talks broke up without any agreement. 

He is thought to be more likely to support Jeremy Hunt and Michael Gove - who came second and third respectively, but well behind Boris Johnson - in the remainder of the contest.

Hancock's team did not respond to requests for comment on Thursday night.

But one Conservative source told PoliticsHome: "The rumour itself that he is even thinking it will drive his people away."

Esther McVey, Mark Harper and Andrea Leadsom were eliminated from the leadership race on Thursday after failing to receive a minimum of 17 votes from their fellow Tory MPs.

The next ballot takes place on Tuesday, when candidates must get a minimum of 33 votes if they are to stay in the contest.