James Cleverly surges ahead in Tory leadership race as Tom Tugendhat is knocked out [Video]

JAMES CLEVERLY HAS surged into the lead in the Conservative leadership contest in the UK, while Tom Tugendhat has been eliminated.

The third round of voting by Tory MPs in the race to replace outgoing party leader and former British prime minister Rishi Sunak took place today. 

Tugendhat, the shadow security minister, secured the support of just 20 of his fellow MPs while former UK home secretary Cleverly received 39 votes after what had been seen as a strong performance at last week’s party conference.

Former front-runner Robert Jenrick fell to second place with 31 votes, one ahead of Kemi Badenoch.

Today’s vote saw Cleverly pick up 18 supporters, likely to include all or most of the 16 who backed former cabinet minister Mel Stride in the second round.

I’m grateful to all my colleagues for their support today, and I’m pleased to be through to the next round.

The job’s not finished.

I’m excited to keep spreading our positive Conservative message. pic.twitter.com/578Gj993Qc

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