Boris Johnson ahead to be PM

Boris Johnson extends his lead in the race to become next PM

@BorisJohnson

In the United Kingdom, Rory Stewart was knocked out of the race to become Britain’s next prime minister today, leaving four candidates led by former foreign secretary Boris Johnson.

International Development Secretary Stewart received the fewest votes in the third ballot of Conservative MPs and so drops out of the contest, while Johnson extended his commanding lead among his colleagues in Britain’s governing party.

Former London mayor Johnson received 143 votes, ahead of Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt on 54, Environment Secretary Michael Gove on 51 and Interior Minister Sajid Javid on 38.

Two further ballots are scheduled for tomorrow.