Health secretary Matt Hancock has withdrawn from the race to become leader of the Conservative party.

He had been nominated by Ashford MP Damian Green and Chatham and Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch had seconded him.

He had 20 votes in the first round - a little over the threshold of 17 that was needed to stay in the race.

Damian Green said he would be talking to the remaining candidates before deciding who to support.

Speaking to KentOnline this morning, he said: “It is obviously disappointing and he decided that now was not his time but I am sure he could be Prime Minister one day. I will be hoping to have face-to-face meetings with other candidates before I make a decision.”

"It was important that the party had a leader who could attract younger members. The party does need a fresh and modern approach to attract the next generation of voters.”

MPs will hold a second ballot next Tuesday.

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Mr Hancock said: “I ran as the candidate of the future, but the party is understandably looking for a candidate for the unique circumstances we face right now.”

“I have therefore decided to withdraw from this contest, and I will look for the best way to advance the values we fought for, of free enterprise, and an open, aspirational, free society, underpinned by an optimistic belief in the value of each individual person.”

He said he would think about his options over the weekend, and “talk to all the other candidates about how these values can be best taken forward”.

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