Rishi Sunak has reportedly become the 'first Conservative party leadership candidate to secure the backing of 100 MPs'.
On Friday night, the former chancellor's supporters said he had amassed the necessary numbers to reach the threshold way ahead of the deadline for the ballot for the new leader on Monday. He is likely to find himself up against either former Prime Minister Boris Johnson or the Leader of the House Penny Mordaunt when the vote is narrowed down to two candidates by MPs.
The wider party membership will then vote, unless Tory party politicians unify behind one person. Mr Johnson, who told allies he is 'up for' the job following Liz Truss' dramatic resignation, is believed to be lagging behind Mr Sunak, as is Ms Mordaunt who became the first to confirm her candidacy.
