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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Heather Stewart Political editor

Priti Patel rules herself out of Tory leadership contest

Priti Patel Boris Johnson Suella Braverman
Priti Patel
Priti Patel was running out of time to secure enough support to join the leadership contest. Photograph: Martial Trezzini/AP

Priti Patel has announced she will not be running in the Conservative leadership race, as candidates battle to gather the 20 MPs needed to get their names on the ballot paper.

In a statement, the home secretary said that while she was “grateful for the encouragement and support” of colleagues, “I will not be putting my name forward for the ballot of MPs”.

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