Conservative Leadership Contest: Boris Johnson Vs Jeremy Hunt

20 June 2019, 18:13 | Updated: 20 June 2019, 19:11

Michael Gove has been eliminated from the Tory leadership contest in the fifth ballot.

Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt will battle to become the next prime minister after Michael Gove was eliminated from the Tory leadership contest in the final round of voting by MPs.

Mr Johnson has said that he is "deeply honoured" to have secured more than 50 per cent of the vote in the final ballot. Thanking supporters he said he was looking forward to meeting Conservative members on the campaign trail.

Saying he was the "underdog," Mr Hunt said in politics "surprises happen as they did today."

Here is the result of the fifth round of voting in the Tory leadership contest:

- Michael Gove: 75

- Jeremy Hunt: 77

- Boris Johnson: 160

There was one spoiled ballot.

When will we get a new Prime Minister?

The first ballot of MPs on Thursday 13th June narrowed the field down by eliminating candidates with few than 17 MPs support. This meant the end of the campaign for Andrea Leadsom, Esther McVey and Mark Harper.

Dominic Raab and Rory Stewart were then bottom of the second and third votes.

Thursday 20th June 13.00: Results of fourth ballot. The candidate with the fewest backers will be eliminated.

Thursday 20th June 18.00: Results of fifth ballot. The candidate with the fewest backers will be eliminated.

That will leave just two candidates. Then it's the turn of 160,000 Conservative members will be asked to select which they wish to be their leader.

Saturday 22nd June: Conservative members start to vote.

Monday 22nd July: The winner of the leadership election will be announced.

The process of the winner moving into Downing Street and taking over as Prime Minister is expected to happen very quickly.