There are now six MPs left in the race to be the next British prime minister, after the UK's health secretary Matt Hancock dropped out of the Conservative leadership contest.
It comes a day after the first vote in the contest saw three hopefuls - Mark Harper, Esther McVey and Andrea Leadsom - eliminated from the race.
Reports in the UK suggest Mr Hancock could now back home secretary Sajid Javid's campaign - but the minister insists he has yet to make up his mind.
Speaking about his withdrawal, Mr Hancock explained: "I've put myself forward as the candidate of the future, but it's increasingly clear that the party - understandably - is looking for a candidate for the unique circumstances that exist now.
"I'll be talking to all the other candidates, and see how best we can promote those values [I care about]."
Thank you for all your support. I have decided to withdraw from the race to be the next leader of the Conservative Party. I will now look for the best way to advance the values we fought for. pic.twitter.com/OGcAjf0S0f
— Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) June 14, 2019
Mr Hancock's withdrawal leaves six candidates hoping to become Theresa May's successor - Boris Johnson, Jeremy Hunt, Michael Gove, Dominic Raab, Sajid Javid and Rory Stewart.
Tory MPs will continue with a series of votes over the coming weeks until only two candidates remain.
The remaining two MPs will then appear on a final ballot, voted on by general members of the Conservative party.
A final result is set to be announced on July 22nd.
Meanwhile, frontrunner Boris Johnson says he will appear in a BBC TV debate next Tuesday.
However, he will not take part in the first televised Channel 4 debate on Sunday - a debate which all the other candidates have signed up for.
The former foreign secretary - who received the support of 114 MPs in the first round of voting, more than 70 more votes than second-placed Jeremy Hunt - had faced criticism for his apparent reluctance to participate in debates.
Friday's Times
"Johnson is accused of hiding from TV debates"#tomorrowspaperstoday#bbcpapers
(via @AllieHBNews) pic.twitter.com/kAnCHMMYWx— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) June 13, 2019
