Former business secretary Kemi Badenoch and ex-immigration minister Robert Jenrick will go head to head in the final of the Tory leadership contest, after James Cleverly was knocked out in a surprise result on Wednesday.
Badenoch topped the fourth ballot of MPs on 42 votes, up 12 votes on the previous round, followed by Robert Jenrick on 41 votes, up 10 votes.
Cleverly, a former home and foreign secretary, exited the contest after registering 37 votes, down two on the previous round on Tuesday.
A moderate Tory, he had been viewed as having gained momentum during the party conference last week.
His departure leaves two right-wing contenders in the final run-off.
The decision will now be put to the party membership in an online ballot, with the result due to be declared on November 2.
This a developing story . . .
