Andrea Leadsom quits Tory leadership contest: Read her speech in full

Energy secretary says rival Theresa May ideally placed to implement Brexit

Speaking outside her home in central London, the energy minister said she would not have been able to run a strong government.with so little support among Tory MP.

Andrea Leadsom has announced her withdrawal from the Conservative leadership contest in a letter to the chairman of the 1922 Committee.

Speaking outside her home in central London, the energy minister said she would not have been able to run a strong government with so little support among Tory MPs.

Mrs Leadsom said her rival, Theresa May, was ideally placed to implement Brexit and offered the Home Secretary her full support.

The statement in full:

"The best interests of our country inspired me to stand for the leadership, I believe that in leaving the EU a bright future awaits where all our people can share in a new prosperity, freedom and democracy. The referendum result demonstrated a clear desire for change, strong leadership is needed urgently to begin the work of withdrawing from the EU

"A nine week leadership campaign art such a critical moment for our country is highly undesirable – business needs certainty. A strong and unified government must move quickly to set out what an independent UK’s framework for business looks like. It is also essential that current EU workers in the UK and businesses that employ them know where they stand.

"The Conservative party was elected only last year with a strong manifesto, we now need a new prime minister in place as soon as possible, committed to fulfilling that manifesto as well as implementing the clear instruction from the referendum.

"Theresa May carries over 60% of support from the parliamentary party, she is ideally placed to implement Brexit on the best possible terms for the British people and she has promised she will do so.

"For me personally to have won the support of 84 of my colleagues last Thursday was a great expression of confidence for which I am incredibly grateful. Nevertheless this is less than 25% of the parliamentary party and after careful consideration I do not believe this is sufficient support to win a strong and stable government should I win the leadership election

"I have however concluded that the interests of our country are best served by the immediate appointment of a strong and well-supported Prime Minister – I am therefore withdrawing from the leadership election and I wish Theresa May the very greatest of success. I assure her of my full support."

The announcement comes after a nine-week leadership campaign to succeed David Cameron, and moments before her leadership rival Mrs May launched her national campaign with a speech in Birmingham.

Mrs May presented herself as the candidate of unity and experience, with the backing of an “overwhelming” majority of Tory MPs at Westminster.