- Staff Notice
Boris Johnson tops first ballot in Tory leadership contest
Boris Johnson has secured the highest number of votes in the first MPs' ballot to select the Conservative Party leader and next prime minister.
Three contenders - Mark Harper, Andrea Leadsom and Esther McVey - were knocked out in the secret ballot of Tory MPs.
Mr Johnson received 114 votes, significantly more than his nearest rival Jeremy Hunt, who came second with 43. Michael Gove was third with 37.
Seven candidates progress to the next round of voting next week.
Here's the official story of yesterday's events for anyone reading this thread in the future.