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 17:03 · Lizzy Buchan]

The Tory leadership nominations deadline has closed!

We are expecting the official verdict within the next hour.

[10 June 2019 17:16 · Lizzy Buchan]

Here's a reminder of the rules of the Tory leadership contest.

Every candidate must have submitted by 5pm today, with a proposer, a seconder and 6 other supporters. Support is drawn from the 313 Tory MPs - and anyone who does not meet the threshold will be out of the race.

There are 11 candidates, most of whom have the support already. Our political commentator John Rentoul has crunched the numbers of public backers.

[10 June 2019 17:24 · Lizzy Buchan]

The names on the ballot paper will be announced by senior members of the 1922 committee - which is made up of Conservative backbenchers. The 1922 are acting as returning officers for the Tory leadership contest.

We expect an announcement within the next hour, which will give us the official list of candidates. At this rate, we could still have a very crowded field.

There will be Tory leadership hustings on Tuesday and Wednesday, before the first round of voting by MPs on Thursday.

 Candidates need to win 16 votes in the first ballot to stay in the contest.

[10 June 2019 17:28 · Lizzy Buchan]

BREAKING: Tory leadership hopeful Sam Gyimah has dropped out of the race, after struggling to secure enough supporters.

The former minister was the only candidate advocating a second referendum, so his departure will be a blow to pro-EU MPs.

[10 June 2019 17:46 · Lizzy Buchan]

Following Sam Gyimah's departure from the race, Best for Britain's Naomi Smith said: "It's sad to see the one reasonable candidate in this vile Tory leadership race have to drop out.

"With only Brexit advocates left in the race, it's more important than ever that remain parties work together.

"Our petition, calling for those politicians to work together in the national interest, just smashed through 50,000 signatures - showing strength of feeling across the country for politicians to put their differences aside to resolve this crisis."

[10 June 2019 18:02 · Lizzy Buchan]

Nominations are in and there are 10 candidates:

Michael Gove

Matt Hancock

Mark Harper

Jeremy Hunt

Sajid Javid

Boris Johnson

Andrea Leadsom

Esther McVey

Dominic Raab

Rory Stewart

[10 June 2019 18:06 · Lizzy Buchan]

Here's the list of the ten candidates and their supporters.

[10 June 2019 18:17 · Lizzy Buchan]

Ten candidates have formally entered the crowded race to be the next prime minister, after securing the backing of eight fellow Conservative MPs.

The party announced that outsiders Rory Stewart, Andrea Leadsom, Esther McVey and Mark Harper had got to the starting line – scotching rumours that they would fail to be nominated.

[10 June 2019 18:32 · Lizzy Buchan]

Interesting rumour that David Lidington, Theresa May's de-facto deputy, is supporting Matt Hancock. Jeremy Hunt had been seen as the safe pair of hands - but perhaps Hancock is picking up support there too.

[10 June 2019 18:40 · Lizzy Buchan]

And here's the confirmation: