Penny Mordaunt launches leadership campaign

Penny Mordaunt is the latest Tory MP to launch a leadership campaign.

The Minister of State for Trade Policy wrote on Twitter: “Our leadership has to change. It needs to become a little less about the leader and a lot more about the ship.”

Watch her campaign video here:

Former Brexit Secretary David Davis eyes three candidates

Former Brexit Secretary David Davis has his eye on Grant Schapps, Jeremy Hunt and Liz Truss to be the next Tory leader.

The MP told Sky News he will make a final decision on who to back in the next few hours, but they must someone willing to change the tax policy.

He said “ethical issues are a bit of a problem if you’ve been in Cabinet in the last year” and “if we have another integrity problem in next six months, we may as forget policies issues”.

Boris Johnson ‘too loyal to people’, Shapps says

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said Boris Johnson was “too loyal to people” in Cabinet as prime minister, and that was one of his flaws.

The leadership candidate told Sky News “we saw a succession of people he would defend” and said Mr Johnson was “fundamentally flawed, but we all are as human beings”.

In terms of policies, Mr Shapps said he would increase defence spending and believes in a lower tax economy.

Tom Tugendhat: Army experience proves his readiness for leadership

Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee Tom Tugendhat told Sky News that by leading combat operations in Iraq and Afhganistan, he is ready to lead the Conservative Party.

He told Sophy Ridge on Sunday that he is “absolutely committed to clean start” and “of course” he has the numbers to back him.

He said he has always been a “a low tax conservative” and that he would deliver the Northern Ireland protocol.

“What we need is not a tax on growth but a growing economy.”

Environment Secretary backs Grant Shapps

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said Environment Secretary George Eustice is backing him to be the next Tory leader.

A message attributed to Mr Eustice on social media said: “Grant has always shown good judgment and an ability to handle anything thrown his way.

“We have challenges ahead as we wrestle with the consequences of the pandemic and that is why I am backing Grant to be our next prime minister.”

Rishi Sunak appeals to ‘broad part of the country’, Afolami says

Tory MP Bim Afolami, who is backing Rishi Sunak to be the party’s next leader, said he appeals to the “broad part of the country”.

He told Sky News Mr Sunak has been doing “incredibly well”, according to the latest polls, including JL Partners.

He said “of all contenders, Rishi Sunak is the only one on polling to beat Keir Starmer”.

“I know he has the appeal to the broad part of the country.”