Brexit news: Final Tory leadership candidates confirmed, as Boris Johnson condemned over tax cuts for the wealthy

Follow live updates from Westminster as they happened

Michael Gove takes aim at Boris Johnson: 'Whatever you do, don't pull out. I know you have before'

Ten Conservative MPs have formally entered the race to succeed Theresa May, as several outsiders scored enough support to get onto the ballot paper.

Sam Gyimah, who was the only second referendum candidate, withdrew from the race moments before senior Tories announced the shortlist, which included big-hitters such as Boris Johnson, Jeremy Hunt and Dominic Raab.

Outsiders Rory Stewart, Andrea Leadsom, Esther McVey and Mark Harper also made it to the starting line, despite speculation that some would struggle to secure the necessary support.

It comes as Mr Johnson, the frontrunner in the race, faced an angry backlash over his plan to raise the 40p income tax threshold at a cost of nearly £10bn – handing thousands of pounds a year back to people on salaries of between £50,000 and £80,000.

To follow events as they unfolded, see our live coverage below

Key Points

• Ten contenders formally enter the Conservative leadership race
• Boris Johnson condemned over tax cut pledge for three million higher earners
• ... as rival Michael Gove insists he will be in the final two despite drugs row
• Sam Gyimah pulls out of Tory leadership race due to lack of support
• Jeremy Hunt wins backing of senior cabinet Brexiteer Penny Mordaunt

[10 June 2019 10:47 · Benjamin Kentish]

Editorial: Boris Johnson's leadership pledges don't stand up to scrutiny 

[10 June 2019 11:04 · Benjamin Kentish]

Dominic Raab is now speaking at the launch of his leadership campaign, which is taking place in the same building as Matt Hancock's an hour ago.

The former Brexit secretary says Britain is at a "historic crossroads" and adds:

"We've been humiliated as a country in these talks with the EU. We're divided at home, we've been demeaned abroad...It hurts me to see our country laid low like this. I want to see this great country get back on its feet and stand tall in the world, not cower before Brussels."

He indirectly accuses Theresa May of a "lack of nerve" and says the UK needs "bold" new leadership. 

[10 June 2019 11:15 · Benjamin Kentish]

Dominic Raab says he warned the EU as Brexit secretary that parliament would never accept a Brexit deal that included the Northern Ireland backstop.

In a clear dig at Boris Johnson, he says Brexit will not be delivered through "bluff and bluster". He says:

 

"I'm the conviction Brexiteer with a plan, the discipline and the focus to lead us out by the end of October. I'm the Brexiteer that you can rely on."

He says he would make the EU "a best final offer" that involved replacing the backstop with alternative arrangements, and insists "with goodwill on all sides, it can be made to work"

He adds:

"We will not be taken seriously in Brussels unless we're clear we're willing to walk away on WTO terms if the EU refuses to budge."

Mr Raab also says he will take a "bucaneering approach" to trade after Brexit. 

[10 June 2019 11:21 · Benjamin Kentish]

Dominic Raab says his government would be "unflinching champions of the economic little guy".

In what will be seen as yet another dig at Boris Johnson, following the former foreign secretary's pledge to cut taxes for the wealthy, he says:

"I want a fairer deal for workers, and I'm on the side of the lowest paid, not the wealthy."

He says he would take the lowest paid out of National Insurance.

[10 June 2019 11:30 · Benjamin Kentish]

Taking questions from the media, Dominic Raab is asked what he offers that Boris Johnson doesn't.

He says:

"My tax cuts are for the very poorest in work, and I think we need a generational change of leadership. Think about what it's going to be like for the next prime minister going into those Labour marginal seats: I'd much rather be going there saying that I 'm going to cut the taxes of the lowest paid in work than succumbing to the inevitable caricature that you're the party of privilege and you're only in it to help the wealthy. I don't think anyone will be able to say that about me given my plan and given my background."

[10 June 2019 11:49 · Benjamin Kentish]

Onto the third Tory campaign launch of the morning - Jeremy Hunt's. Amber Rudd is introducing the foreign secretary, saying he is the "outstanding candidate" and "a man of decency and integrity".

Aaaand.. this is significant. Penny Mordaunt, who was widely tipped to run for leader herself, is now speaking. She is backing Jeremy Hunt. As a senior Brexiteer, that a huge coup for the Hunt campaign.

Ms Mordaunt says she trusts Mr Hunt on Brexit "because he took a side: he fought for a deal but he also knew that we had to leave no deal on the table to secure a good deal".

This is a big moment, and supporters of Mr Hunt will hope this key endorsement will help him pick up more support among Eurosceptics.

[10 June 2019 11:51 · Benjamin Kentish]

Jeremy Hunt is now speaking at the launch of his campaign. 

He opens with a stark warning, saying: "Our failure to deliver Brexit has put our country and our party in grave peril."

Without Brexit, he says, "there will be no Conservative government and maybe no Conservative Party...Without Brexit, no Conservative prime minister can win."

[10 June 2019 11:52 · Benjamin Kentish]

Theresa May has backed Michael Gove after the revelations about his cocaine use.

The prime minister's official spokesman said the environment secretary had  "made a mistake which he profoundly regretted" and added:

"The prime minister continues to have full confidence in Michael Gove and the job he is doing."

The spokesman also shrugged off the fall in UK GDP, insisting that "the fundamentals of the economy are strong", with growth every year since 2010, unemployment low and wages growing in real terms.

[10 June 2019 11:59 · Benjamin Kentish]

Back to the Tory leadership contest, and Jeremy Hunt says he would be able to deliver Brexit because he has been negotiating all his life.

He says the Conservatives would "be annihilated" if there was a general election before they have delivered Brexit. 

He says:

"We're facing a constitutional crisis - our new prime minister will preside over a hung parliament. A serious moment calls for a serious leader. We need tough negotiation, not empty rhetoric. Faced with bad choices, we need a prime minister who can negotiate some better choices."

[10 June 2019 12:02 · Benjamin Kentish]

Another strong warning from Jeremy Hunt to his fellow Conservatives - this time on the topic of young people.

He says:

"The votes we need as a party are those of young people. Three years ago the average age below which people were more likely to vote Labour than Conservative was 35. Now it is 51.

"Carry on like this and our party will die on its feet. How can the party of aspiration turn its backs on our most aspirational people?"