Tory leadership contenders upset over 10-minute conference speech plan

The remaining leadership contenders, L-R: James Cleverly, Mel Stride, Kemi Badenoch, Tom Tugendhat and Robert Jenrick. Photograph: Various

Conservative leadership contenders have called the lacklustre handling of the contest disgraceful after it emerged they may only get a few minutes each to address the party’s conference.

The contest, which was expected to be a battle for the soul of the party, had been reduced to leadership contenders being given just 10 minutes on the stage, insiders said.