Image source, Shutterstock Image caption, Supporters of Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt firmlyinsists she will not withdraw from the Tory management race By Joshua Nevett & James Gregory BBC Politics Penny Mordaunt is under pressure to protected sufficient assistance to go head-to-head with frontrunner Rishi Sunak in the race to endedupbeing the UK’s next prime minister, after Boris Johnson withdrew. The previous chancellor has by far the most stated backers amongst Tory MPs. Ms Mordaunt requires 100 MPs to back her priorto elections close at 14: 00 BST. Her project declared she had passed 90, with a representative informing the BBC: “For the sake of the celebration, it’s crucial our members have their state.” If Ms Mordaunt does reach 100 backers, the race might then go to an online tally of Conservative Party members, with the winner of that being revealed on Friday. One of her backers, previous cabinet minister Andrea Leadsom, stated there was “absolutely no opportunity that Penny will action down” from the management contest. But another MP who was supporting her, George Freeman, has prompted Ms Mordaunt to drop out and back Mr Sunak in the interest of unity and stability, rather than go to a subscription tally. Confirming he would be changing to vote for Mr Sunak, Mr Freeman informed BBC Radio 4’s World at One program: “Given the seriousness of the financial crisis we face… it is necessary, I believe, that we come together rapidly and show stability and unity, and for that factor I puton’t see the benefit of taking another 3 or 4 days to select which of Penny or Rishi gets the leading task and which gets the 2nd leading task.” Mr Johnson’s statement that he would not stand had currently put pressure on Ms Mordaunt to stand aside, permitting Mr Sunak to take charge of the celebration without the requirement for a vote. In a declaration on Sunday, Mr Johnson – who stood down as prime minister just 7 weeks ago – declared he had enough assistance to stand however included that now was “simply not the right time”. Dogged by a series of scandals, he was changed as prime minister by Liz Truss, who resigned last week after 45 days in workplace significant by political and financial chaos. Mr Johnson’s abrupt withdrawal stunned lotsof of his advocates, consistingof Tory MP James
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