BRAINTREE MP James Cleverly has been knocked out of the Conservative leadership race, after being tipped to be in pole position in yesterday's ballot.

Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch will go head-to-head in the final heat of the Conservative Party leadership contest, after James Cleverly was knocked out in the latest round of voting.

Former home secretary Mr Cleverly was eliminated in Wednesday’s ballot of Tory MPs, following Tom Tugendhat who was knocked out on Tuesday.

Ms Badenoch won 42 votes and Mr Jenrick 41 votes, to Mr Cleverly’s 37 votes in the latest ballot, with 120 Tory MPs having taken part.

Speaking in a post on X after the result, Mr Cleverly said: "I’m grateful for the support I’ve received on this campaign from colleagues, party members and the public.

"Sadly it wasn’t to be.

"We are all Conservatives, and it’s important the Conservative Party unites to take on this catastrophic Labour government."

The final round of the contest will now see Conservative Party members across the UK vote to select the successor to Rishi Sunak.

The result will be announced on November 2.

Ms Badenoch and Mr Jenrick are both seen as candidates favoured by the right of the Conservative Party, while Mr Cleverly was thought of as a more centre-ground Tory.

The latest result has upset many predictions in Westminster and beyond, as Mr Cleverly was seen as the bookmakers’ favourite to win the contest after Tuesday’s round of voting.