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 18:52 · Lizzy Buchan]

International development secretary Rory Stewart has described himself as the "anti-Boris" candidate, saying he is the only contender capable of beating the former foreign secretary.

"I think I am the only person who can beat him. We are facing a very, very fundamental choice," he told reporters at Westminster as the nominations were announced.

"That choice is between Boris's Brexit and my Brexit, between somebody who is attempting to out-Farage Farage and somebody like me who believes in the centre ground."

[10 June 2019 18:58 · Lizzy Buchan]

"The Tory leadership contest is absolutely out of its tiny little mind," writes Independent sketchwriter Tom Peck.

 Read his take on a day filled by leadership contests:

[10 June 2019 19:02 · Lizzy Buchan]

That's it for The Independent's politics liveblog for the day. Thanks for following!