Health Secretary Matt Hancock withdraws from Tory leadership race

Health Secretary Matt Hancock withdraws from Tory leadership race, he has revealed

The health secretary stood aside amid rumours he is planning on joining forces with another candidate to challenge front-runner Boris Johnson.

Mr Hancock, 40, won just 20 backers on Thursday as Tory MPs started to vote on their favoured candidates.

Candidates need 33 votes to get passed the next round.

Mr Johnson secured 114 votes from Tory MPs, more than a third of the Parliamentary party.

His tally was more than his three closest rivals – Jeremy Hunt, Michael Gove and Dominic Raab – combined, suggesting Mr Johnson’s bid to finally reach Number 10 may now be unstoppable.