i of penny mordaunt getting into the rim ? ~ , . , . of penny mordaunt getting into the rim?nt getting into the ring? i think she has a chance of caettin ring? i think she has a chance of getting to _ ring? i think she has a chance of getting to the — ring? i think she has a chance of getting to the first _ ring? i think she has a chance of getting to the first stage. - ring? i think she has a chance of getting to the first stage. a - getting to the first stage. a maximum of three candidates can get the 100 names they need. as you pointed out, penny mordaunt is a long way away from that in terms of the numbers who have publicly declared her support. it may be that we see falling away from this contest before tomorrow afternoon london time when the candidates need to demonstrate that level of support and she will then potentially play a role in terms of who she throws her weight behind, where her support goes. that is likely to be rishi sunak. the attempts on the part of borisjohnson to get her own board with his campaign hasn't worked. her supporters are indicating they are f

i don't think penny mordaunt has — penny mordaunt?gotten much _ penny mordaunt? i don't think penny mordaunt has gotten much traction l penny mordaunt? i don't think penny | mordaunt has gotten much traction in her campaign. a long way to go to get 100 of those, it doesn't mean that all boris is people will switch to penny mordaunt. i think she will probably struggle, which is a good thing because i do think that we can do without an election contest. penny mordaunt is a very able person. but i think it's good that rishi sunak, who i don't know or don't campaign for hat treatment will be the single candidate. hagar will be the single candidate. how uni in: a will be the single candidate. how unifying a force _ will be the single candidate. how unifying a force is _ will be the single candidate. how unifying a force is rishi sunak going to be, given that some people won't have forgiven him for him being one of the signature resignation to help bring down boris johnson in the summer? xyour resignation to help bring down boris johnson in

i don't think penny mordaunt has — penny mordaunt?aunt? i don't think penny mordaunt has much traction in her i mordaunt has much traction in her campaign. a long way to go to get 100 votes, doesn't mean or boris supporters will switch to penny mordaunt, sol supporters will switch to penny mordaunt, so i think she will probably struggle which is a good thing because i do think that we can do without an election contest. penny mordaunt is a very able person but i think it is good that rishi sunak, who i don't know or don't campaign for, will be the single candidate. �* , . , campaign for, will be the single candidate-— candidate. briefly, finally, how uni in: candidate. briefly, finally, how unifying force _ candidate. briefly, finally, how unifying force is _ candidate. briefly, finally, how unifying force is rishi - candidate. briefly, finally, how unifying force is rishi sunak. candidate. briefly, finally, how. unifying force is rishi sunak going to be, given that some people might have forgiven him for the fact that he was one of t

penny mordaunt has less than an

has a penny mordaunt — to the situation. has a penny mordaunt got _ to the situation.t any _ to the situation. has a penny mordaunt got any hope - to the situation. has a penny mordaunt got any hope of. to the situation. has a penny - mordaunt got any hope of reaching the 100 mp5? it mordaunt got any hope of reaching the 100 ms?— mordaunt got any hope of reaching the 100 mp5? ., ., , ., the 100 mps? it would not seem so at the 100 mps? it would not seem so at the moment. — the 100 mps? it would not seem so at the moment. it _ the 100 mps? it would not seem so at the moment, it was _ the 100 mps? it would not seem so at the moment, it was seen _ the 100 mps? it would not seem so at the moment, it was seen the - the 100 mps? it would not seem so at. the moment, it was seen the momentum is swinging behind sunak and boris. the narrative has switched away from her, and certainly who ever wins will need to give her a prominent role in the cabinet, but at the moment i can't see that happening. the only thing she could hope for is that if borisjohnson drops out that she could

the penny mordaunt campaign. they were sa in: the penny mordaunt campaign.their— the penny mordaunt campaign. tie: were saying their message to mr borisjohnson in that telephone conversation had been a very simple and direct one, which was she was not going to be standing aside because she believed that she was the preferred candidate to go forward. and his supporters would migrate to her, not the other way around and that the party should have a contest between her and mr rishi sunak. and she wants to be seen as the unified force. there has been a lot of rancour in the conservative party, deep divisions between boris johnson conservative party, deep divisions between borisjohnson and rishi sunak. and if the members want a contest should be her going forward. she was absolutely at the mind to see borisjohnson she would not be standing back. sorry, she still sits on her supporters. where will the jewel borisjohnson supporters go? i will read a couple of lines from the statement. first of all, he said i've been attracted to the idea of standing because i lead

she is backing - penny mordaunt and the theory behind hacking _ penny mordaunt and the theory behindage that boris johnson carries on for some people in the _ johnson carries on for some people in the tory— johnson carries on for some people in the tory party who resent rishi sunaks— in the tory party who resent rishi sunak's role in facilitating the fall of— sunak's role in facilitating the fall of borisjohnson, sunak's role in facilitating the fall of boris johnson, those sunak's role in facilitating the fall of borisjohnson, those people don't _ fall of borisjohnson, those people don't like — fall of borisjohnson, those people don't like him, and she isn't that pleasant — don't like him, and she isn't that pleasant either so she doesn't have baggage _ pleasant either so she doesn't have baggage on either side, in respect of that _ baggage on either side, in respect of that so. — baggage on either side, in respect of that. so, from that point of view, — of that. so, from that point of view, she _ of that. so, from that point of view, she can be seen as a compromise candidate and su

, . ., ., mordaunt? it is a thing we have to decide together. _ mordaunt?t here. i got the unity candidate right here. harry, tell me, you say you have been away from this, you have not done a solo tour in this way for a decade. i done a solo tour in this way for a decade. ~ ., ., �* ~ ., , decade. i know. i don't know why it has been so — decade. i know. i don't know why it has been so long. _ decade. i know. i don't know why it has been so long. i _ decade. i know. i don't know why it has been so long. i kept _ decade. i know. i don't know why it has been so long. i kept meaning i decade. i know. i don't know why it| has been so long. i kept meaning to do it and then when they loved and came in, and they said, oh, no, you can't do it, i said i better get on and do it. can't do it, i said i better get on and do it— can't do it, i said i better get on and do it. ~ ., , i. and do it. -- the lockdown. did you feel rusty? — and do it. -- the lockdown. did you feel rusty? it _ and do it. -- the lockdown. did you feel rusty? it might _ and do it. -- the lockdown

mordaunt is a long way from that penny mordaunt is a long way from that in terms of the numbers and whored their support for her. it may be that we see her falling away from this contest before tomorrow afternoon. london time. when the candidate seemed to demonstrate that they have that level of support. she will then potentially play a role in terms of who she throws her weight behind, where supporters go. that looks likely to be rishi sunakfor the attempts it seems on borisjohnson�*s part to get her on board with his campaign and get her to back out of the contest at this point has it worked. and indeed her supporters are indicating that they are far more likely to go to rishi sunak than they are borisjohnson. interesting. it seems the penny mordaunt and borisjohnson say interesting. it seems the penny mordaunt and boris johnson say we mordaunt and borisjohnson say we ask for their votes rather than them asking for us. they are both still in theirfight, asking for us. they are both still in their fight, they would think. yes. and jostling put for position. boris johnson's team yes. an

penny mordaunt is the only other contender.atest on the formal announcement in a specially extended programme here on bbc one. and stay with us on the bbc news channel for continuing coverage and analysis from our team of correspondents in the uk and around the world. the united states, britain and france have all condemned russia's claim that ukraine could use a radioactive "dirty bomb" — that is conventional explosives mixed with radioactive material. western allies of ukraine say the russian allegation is transparently false — and that the world would see through any attempt by the kremlin to use it as a pretext to escalate the war, possibly by using tactical nuclear weapons. 0ur ukraine correspondent, hugo bachega, has this report from kyiv. as the battle for kherson looms, its residents have been told to leave. russian—appointed officials, who say ukrainian forces are preparing a large—scale offensive to retake the city. thousands of civilians have fled, carrying everything they can. for ukraine, this is a disinformation c

and i went to support penn mordaunt. , , ., ~ penny mordaunt. still got that job to _ penny mordaunt. he is still an mp he still got that job to do? _ penny mordaunt. he is still an mp he still got that job to do? he _ penny mordaunt. he is still an mp he still got that job to do? he will i still got thatjob to do? he will has been around has he? i still got that job to do? he will has been around has he? i was in around the _ has been around has he? i was in around the week— has been around has he? i was in around the week before - has been around has he? i was in around the week before but stuff| around the week before but stuff ha ens. ~ . ., ,. around the week before but stuff hauens.~ ., ., ., happens. what would you say to the idea of rishi — happens. what would you say to the idea of rishi sunak— happens. what would you say to the idea of rishi sunak being _ happens. what would you say to the idea of rishi sunak being the - happens. what would you say to the idea of rishi sunak being the next i idea of rishi sunak being the next prime min

you are supporting penny mordaunt. _ if ever. you are supporting penny mordaunt. i _ if ever.believe, _ if ever. you are supporting penny mordaunt, i believe, the - if ever. you are supporting penny i mordaunt, i believe, the commons leader. what qualities does she have, do you believe, that the country needs right now? she has experience. _ country needs right now? she has experience, she _ country needs right now? she has experience, she has _ country needs right now? she has experience, she has been - country needs right now? she has i experience, she has been secretary of state for overseas development, she is a lady full of sympathy and empathy, she has been the secretary of state for defence, which is one of state for defence, which is one of the higher offices of state. she is currently leader of the house of commons. she is also the president of the privy council, and she handled the accession council for king charles iii, following the death of her majesty. i think, with immense dignity and courage. and she has conducted herself absolutely properly throughout my entir

we may never know how close team mordaunt have got if they fall short. close team mordaunt have got ifteam mordaunt have got if they fall short. if they make it, of course, we will know that some of this briefing in the last couple of hours had significance to it. i have been told by figures at the top of penny mordaunt�*s campaign that they were convinced they were very close. so keen were they to make the case in the last hour that they only needed to persuade a handful more to ensure that there was a vote this afternoon. so we await the outcome from sir graham brady in the next half hour to determine whether or not we know who our next prime minister will be, assuming office as soon as tomorrow, or that there is to be a vote this afternoon after hustings in front of conservative mps. then the vote would be around teatime this afternoon to work out where the balance of opinion lies within the conservative party if there are two candidates who meet there are two candidates who meet the threshold, before, assuming neither of them was to withdraw at that point, the two names go forward

yes, it seems penny mordaunt _ believed? yes, it seems penny mordaunt is — believed? seems penny mordaunt is the _ believed? yes, it seems penny mordaunt is the anyone - believed? yes, it seems penny mordaunt is the anyone who i believed? yes, it seems pennyl mordaunt is the anyone who has announced her candidacy but according to those numbers we just showed viewers there, she's not doing so well, she didn't quite have the momentum she had in the last campaign. instead, all of the focus is on rishi sunak and borisjohnson. rishi sunak the favourite and in the lead. that is not so surprising because he was the favourite throughout the mps part of the last leadership election, but he wasn't the favourite when it went to the party membership, so it is not very surprisingly still the favourite within mps, gaining those 114 votes, which means he would make it to the ballot on monday. and we are expecting him to declare shortly. left sure of the numbers, boris johnson, that is because his campaign sources are saying that they have made 100 supporters. at they have made 100 s

we know penny mordaunt the greater intention to | mordaunt the greater intention to run on friday, rishi his intention this morning. do you know why we are still waiting for boris johnson to declare? we why we are still waiting for boris johnson to declare?— why we are still waiting for boris johnson to declare? we do not. this rocess johnson to declare? we do not. this process has — johnson to declare? we do not. this process has been _ johnson to declare? we do not. this process has been done _ johnson to declare? we do not. this process has been done very - johnson to declare? we do not. this process has been done very much i process has been done very much behind closed doors, and this is all about the private conversations that candidates are having with mps about the meetings they are having with mps, so we do not know why mr johnson has not come out and said he will or will not run. his allies are saying that clearly they are expecting him to stand, they insist they have the numbers, as public backers are about half what he would need, but insist there are others who have not been

she _ penny mordaunt tally up? she is an unknown quantity. she is _ penny mordaunt tally up?nown quantity. she is fairly well liked among the membership, but they are not sure about her and if we look to the general public, most people don't really know who penny morden is or what she stands for or what she would bring to the table. in that position, you have two ways you can go. as more people get familiar with you, you can get more popular, but equally, it could be the more you are exposed to the public, the less popular you become because they look at you and say, we are not fond of what you have to offer. so penny mordaunt has to work on getting out there and convincing more mps to back her because at the minute, she is the furthest out of the three of them. find minute, she is the furthest out of the three of them.— minute, she is the furthest out of the three of them. and when you look at olls the three of them. and when you look at polls across — the three of them. and when you look at polls across the _ the three of them. and when you look at polls across the parties,

do you think whether it's mordaunt - basically stuff the camera...it's mordaunt or - basically stuff the camera... do youj think whether it's mordaunt or rishi sunak, that the conservatives can look towards a period of — i'll use the word relatively, of stability — and most people recognise boris johnson is a massive character. he's charismatic, he gets everybody jumping up and down, but one thing he is not offering is stability. i he is not offering is stability. 1 think there are two forms of he is not offering is stability. i think there are two forms of the stability we've suffered from over the summer. we had massive political instability. going back for about six years. but we've also had financial instability, some of it caused or worsened by liz truss's premiership, but some that out of her control, caused by global factors such as russia's invasion, rising inflation. even if it's rishi sunak or penny mourdant, there could be more political instability because they might take fewer risks with the economy initially. there are still these facto

priti patel hasjust the campaigning by penny mordaunt�*s team. out in support of rishi sunak, tweeting... interestingly, if you scroll down just two tweets ago, yesterday she tweeted i am backing borisjohnson to return as our prime minister, to bring together a united team to deliver our manifesto and lead britain to a stronger and more prosperous future. that is basically the flavour of what is going on here, of course, because the shifting alliances and the fact that borisjohnson was in the running and then wasn't an said last night he was bowing out because that was the right thing to do, he could not unite the party behind him. let's bring in lord forsyth, former secretary of state for scotland in john major plus my government, now chairman of the association of conservative peers in the house of lords. good morning.. it is looking like rishi sunak although his team say there —— they are taking nothing for granted. irate say there -- they are taking nothing for granted-— for granted. we need to bring this whole pantomime _ for granted. we nee

penny mordaunt's name is in play- _ think ademi had? penny mordaunt's name is in play.ad? penny mordaunt's name is in play. it would be - think ademi had? penny mordaunt's name is in play. it would be up- think ademi had? penny mordaunt's name is in play. it would be up to i name is in play. it would be up to the tories — name is in play. it would be up to the tories to _ name is in play. it would be up to the tories to work out the bloodshed of who— the tories to work out the bloodshed of who gets to be prime minister, who gets — of who gets to be prime minister, who gets to shore them up as the numher— who gets to shore them up as the number two. and maybe sunak and mordaunt— number two. and maybe sunak and mordaunt may be a good choice because — mordaunt may be a good choice because they were the other option so did _ because they were the other option so did best — because they were the other option so did best in the leadership hailot.~ _ so did best in the leadership ballot,. �* ., , so did best in the leadership ballot,. �* . , ., , so did best in the leadership

ms mordaunt will make it over the line.— whether ms mordaunt will make it over the line. and if she does make it over the line _ over the line. and if she does make it over the line and _ over the line. and if she does make it over the line and she _ over the line. and if she does make it over the line and she can - over the line. and if she does make it over the line and she can take - it over the line and she can take this contest to the wider tory party membership in the country, do things then look less clearfor membership in the country, do things then look less clear for rishi sunak, do you think?- then look less clear for rishi sunak, do you think? yes, because if this was down — sunak, do you think? yes, because if this was down to _ sunak, do you think? yes, because if this was down to conservative - sunak, do you think? yes, because if this was down to conservative mps, i this was down to conservative mps, it would be a done deal. rishi sunak would be prime minister. but we don't know for sure what the conservative membership would say. we know that they picked

. , , , , ., mordaunt.ily express, we have just lost kevin — mordaunt. the daily express, we have just lost kevin again, _ mordaunt. the daily express, we have just lost kevin again, he _ mordaunt. the daily express, we have just lost kevin again, he has _ just lost kevin again, he has frozen. we have about 50 seconds, to picking up on that idea, there's cheerleaders, i think the main ones is now the daily express, describing the vultures that are circling. without referring to the term vultures, who are the key names who could possibly pick up the leadership?— could possibly pick up the leadership? could possibly pick up the leadershi-? . ., , , ., leadership? what is being touted that the moment _ leadership? what is being touted that the moment is _ leadership? what is being touted that the moment is possibly - leadership? what is being touted i that the moment is possibly putting together a dream team including rishi sunak and penny mordaunt. both of them together got more votes and more support from th

could i “ust go back to penny mordaunt? _ now and then. could ijust go back to penny mordaunt?was - now and then. could ijust go backj to penny mordaunt? what was her performance like at pmqs? she stood in for liz truss. just before pmqs. before pmqs, sorry. how was her performance then received? she answered an _ performance then received? sue: answered an urgent question performance then received? su9: answered an urgent question in parliament on behalf of the prime minister, something that normally isn't unusual, but given the acute pressure that liz truss was facing at the time to come before mps and answer questions about further u—turns in policy and installing jeremy hunt as chancellor, penny mordaunt came to the dispatch box in her place and attracted attention for the language used in the way she went about it. she seems very capable performer in parliament and somebody who can communicate well. she, deliberately or otherwise, made what some would see as the mistake of repeating the questions that were asked of her about whether liz truss was hiding under a desk or whe

dream ticket _ rishi sunak, penny mordaunt dream ticket idea _ rishi sunak, penny mordaunt dream ticketembers they would just replace li2— to tory members they would just replace liz truss and kwasi kwarteng. replace liz truss and kwasi kwarteng-— replace liz truss and kwasi kwarten. ., , ., ., ,, ., kwarteng. lots to talk about. let me ruickl t kwarteng. lots to talk about. let me quickly try and _ kwarteng. lots to talk about. let me quickly try and bring _ kwarteng. lots to talk about. let me quickly try and bring in _ kwarteng. lots to talk about. let me quickly try and bring in a _ quickly try and bring in a couple more stories. 0n the front page of the telegraph, dave got the uk rebuking a manual run for strike. defence secretary is perhaps not taking up the french president has said france wouldn't necessarily use nuclear weapon if ukraine was hit by, limited nuclear strikes. we're in very difficult and delicate territory. in very difficult and delicate territo . , , , ., ., territory. yes, this is the war of words going _ territory. yes, this is the war of words going on _ terri

penny mordaunt is the only candidate to so far have actually confirmed she's running.far short of 100 at this stage. well, i'm backing penny because she's the candidate, i think, that cannot onlyjust bring the conservative party and parliament together, but actually the whole country. she's got a proven track record working across eight departments in her 12 years in parliament, and i think her background really makes her well placed to connect with people. by this time next week, barring any major surprises, one of these three people will be the prime minister. until then, the race to gain support continues. helen catt, bbc news. currently, the bbc estimates that more than half of tory mps have gone public with their support. as you've heard, rishi sunak has passed the key threshold of 100 backers and is on 117, borisjohnson has 52, and penny mordaunt has 22. it's worth pointing out that these are the numbers the bbc can verify — others may have different information. some of these mps are making it public and posting on social media to try to build support for their

~ :, . , mordaunt? we cannot read the inside, the sunday express _ mordaunt? we cannot read the inside, the sunday express has always - mordaunt? we cannot read the inside, the sunday express has always been l mordaunt? we cannot read the inside, the sunday express has always been aj the sunday express has always been a boris supporting paper write to the death, _ boris supporting paper write to the death, pretty much, in his premiership, but it would be no surprise, — premiership, but it would be no surprise, and this headline is a perfectly— surprise, and this headline is a perfectly valid headline regardless, but it sort— perfectly valid headline regardless, but it sort of reflects, i suspect and underlying sympathy with boris johnson _ and underlying sympathy with boris johnson and his position, in a way that the _ johnson and his position, in a way that the sunday times, if you read the leader— that the sunday times, if you read the leader column of the sunday times, _ the leader column of the sunday times, i'm — the leader column of the sunday times, i'm

penny mordaunt is the one., enter the one candidate happy to face questions today, penny mordaunt, although she was not particularly keen on answering many of them directly. yes or no? do you stand by that? you said it a couple of weeks ago. you are trying very hard, laura... she trails behind the others but she says it is important to keep going. i am very confident about the progress we are making, and i will say to you that i am in this to win it. some of the things we want to do... 0pposition parties say it is time for a general election. let the public in to decide. do they want to continue with this utter chaos or do they want stability under a labor government? tonight, the latest twist in the career of borisjohnson, after a weekend at the centre of attention, with this former prime minister out and off the stage, for now at least, are we looking right now at the next prime minister? rishi sunak could be walking through a rather different door very soon. chris mason, our political editor, reporting. he e

while penny mordaunt has the public support of less than 30. so there are still a few different possible scenarios as to how this race ends. but the fact that boris johnson is no longer in it undoubtedly changes the calculus for everyone involved here. as you mentioned, boris johnson says he had the support to not only get into the race but also to win it. but he says, quote, over the course of the last days, i have sadly come to the conclusion that this would simply not be the right thing to do. you can't govern effectively unless you have a united party in parliament. therefore, i am afraid the best thing is that i do not allow my nomination to go forward and commit my support to whoever succeeds. i believe i have much to offer, but i am afraid this is simply not the right time. clearly there leaving himself or leaving the door open for a possible leadership run in the future. he also says that he met with both rishi sunak and penny mor mordaunt. the accomplish press says likely boris johnson trying to convince either of the two to step down

borisjohnson has 57 and penny mordaunt has 24.ng me now is our political correspondent jonathan blake. has been communication between the proposed candidates today? it has been communication between the proposed candidates today?— proposed candidates today? it does seem that way- _ proposed candidates today? it does seem that way. it's _ proposed candidates today? it does seem that way. it's reported - proposed candidates today? it does seem that way. it's reported boris i seem that way. it's reported boris johnson had a conversation with penny mordaunt earlier this afternoon in which he asked her to stand aside and support him for the leadership, but i'm told by one senior supporter of penny mordaunt thatis senior supporter of penny mordaunt that is not going to happen. in their words, that is not going to happen. in theirwords, penny that is not going to happen. in their words, penny mordaunt can't see how he can in any way bring this ability we now urgently need. attempts to do some sort of a deal or a fit, but as things stand,

penny mordaunt is the one.ter the one candidate happy to face questions today, penny mordaunt, although she was not particularly keen on answering many of them directly. yes or no? do you stand by that? you said it a couple of weeks ago. you are trying very hard, laura... she trails behind the others but she says it is important to keep going. i am very confident about the progress we are making, and i will say to you that i am in this to win it. some of the things we want to do... opposition parties say it is time for a general election. let the public in to decide. do they want to continue with this utter chaos or do they want stability under a labor government? tonight, the latest twist in the career of borisjohnson, after a weekend at the centre of attention, with this former prime minister out and off the stage, for now at least, are we looking right now at the next prime minister? rishi sunak could be walking through a rather different door very soon. chris mason, our political editor, reporting. professo

sunak and petty mordaunt _ election. is that legitimate? sunak and petty mordaunt are _ election. and petty mordaunt are being - election. is that legitimate? sunak and petty mordaunt are being talked about_ and petty mordaunt are being talked about in_ and petty mordaunt are being talked about in the splash in the time as a sort of— about in the splash in the time as a sort of unity — about in the splash in the time as a sort of unity candidates to replace liz truss _ sort of unity candidates to replace liz truss and presumably kwasi kwarteng, the chancellor as well. rishi _ kwarteng, the chancellor as well. rishi sunak came second in the leadership contest to liz truss penny— leadership contest to liz truss penny mordaunt came 3rd. i suppose they have _ penny mordaunt came 3rd. i suppose they have some legitimacy from that point of— they have some legitimacy from that point of view. in terms of candid conservative party simply replace liz truss — conservative party simply replace liz truss with yet another candidate for prime _ liz truss with yet another candidate for prime mini

penny mordaunt. our late monarch did not stamp her — penny mordaunt.penny mordaunt. our late monarch did not stamp her personality on _ penny mordaunt. our late monarch did not stamp her personality on the - not stamp her personality on the nation _ not stamp her personality on the nation. she is the one shaped by as, by all_ nation. she is the one shaped by as, by all of— nation. she is the one shaped by as, by all of us, — nation. she is the one shaped by as, by all of us, her people. the stoic dignified. — by all of us, her people. the stoic dignified, kind, patient,, dutiful, queue— dignified, kind, patient,, dutiful, queue loving british people. that is why she _ queue loving british people. that is why she was the best of us. as we mourned, — why she was the best of us. as we mourned, we leaned on our constitution, on our traditions, and on our— constitution, on our traditions, and on our planning, we saw the pride, the pebble. — on our planning, we saw the pride, the people, causes and organisations she cherished and the —— that this nation _ sh

penny mordaunt is the only candidate to _ issues.ordaunt is the only candidate to publicly _ issues. penny mordaunt is the only candidate to publicly confirm - issues. penny mordaunt is the only candidate to publicly confirm she i issues. penny mordaunt is the onlyi candidate to publicly confirm she is running. her public backers are still far short of 100 at this stage. i still far short of 100 at this sta . e. . still far short of 100 at this stae, ., still far short of 100 at this state. ., , , stage. i am backing her because she is the candidate _ stage. i am backing her because she is the candidate i _ stage. i am backing her because she is the candidate i think, _ stage. i am backing her because she is the candidate i think, cannot - is the candidate i think, cannot onlyjust bring the conservative party and parliament together, but the whole country. she has a proven track record working across a department in her 12 years in parliament. i think her background really makes her well placed to connect with people. by really makes

the leader of the commons, penny mordaunt, is the only person to formally announce that she's running, but has fewer supporters. ukrainian officials say around a million and a half households are without power following a new wave of russian attacks in other news — two mayors are calling for more funding for train operators in the north of england — it's after passengers face disruption to services you just can't keep up with all the cancellations. even when you're training isn't cancelled, you are often on a really, really packed service. and england's lionesses will face china and denmark at next year's women's world cup in australia and new zealand good afternoon. rishi sunak has become the first leadership contender to secure the public support of 100 tory mps — that's the number needed to enter the race to be the next conservative leader and prime minister. but he's yet to announce publicly whether he will bid for the top job — after losing to liz truss last month. meanwhile, borisjohnson has flown home from a caribbean holiday, as his supporters claim he now also has 100 mps bac

so penny mordaunt is still in the running — with 23 backers.he told the bbc she believes in cabinet led politics. i have my views, but i won't be endorsing policy that ijust made up by myself. in other news, headteachers in england say nine in ten schools will have run out of money by the next school year due to the cost of living crisis. good afternoon. rishi sunak has formally entered the contest to become the next conservative leader and prime minister. the former chancellor says he wants to lead the country with integrity, professionalism and accountability. he already has the required backing of more than 100 fellow tory mps. this afternoon suella braverman, the former home secretary became the lastest high profile mp to endorse him. writing in the telegraph ms braverman says the tories all need to compromise but that rishi is the only candidate that fits the bill to deliver unity, stability and efficiency. meanwhile the foreign secretary james cleverly is backing boris johnson. in a tweet he said that mrjohnson had learned lessons from hi

penny mordaunt would not be drawn on any — myself.tail this _ myself. penny mordaunt would not be drawn on any detail this morning - drawn on any detail this morning about what she would do as prime minister. this contest will come to a head tomorrow afternoon, and we know very little about what any of the candidates would do in terms of policy. she was asked if she would increase benefits in line with inflation, one of the big debates of recent weeks, whether she would cut nhs spending, what you do about defence spending, all of these things she deflected and said that she would take collective decisions. that is what our supporters to weigh up that is what our supporters to weigh up at this point and others within the party. that's mac that is for her supporters. the party. that's mac that is for hersupporters. other the party. that's mac that is for her supporters. other key developers, steve baker, influential voice on the right of the party and big organiser among tory mps has backed rishi sunak warning that it borisjohnson becom

just briefly, the i only mp to have announced and the sea is penny mordaunt. to get the numbers she needs. she is the only one to officially announce. she also has a campaign video. she doesn't seem to have gained the momentum she needs and enough numbers. she is languishing at the end of what we can see in the verified polls, at around 20% 20 supporters. she would need to increase that dramatically. it is not looking great for her and her supporters. not looking great for her and her supporters-_ not looking great for her and her su orters. ., ~ ,, supporters. thank you. our political correspondent _ supporters. thank you. our political correspondent in _ supporters. thank you. our political correspondent in westminster. - what do voters make of what has been happening in westminster? jessica lane has been talking to people in the conservative constituency of penistone and stocksbridge, in south yorkshire. as mps are back in their constituencies this weekend, many will find out if what's happening in westminster is the talk of their town. i think that we've l

penny mordaunt is still in the running with 23 backers. she told the bbc she believes in cabinet led politics. i the bbc she believes in cabinet led olitics. ., , the bbc she believes in cabinet led olitics. . , , , politics. i have my views but i will not be imposing _ politics. i have my views but i will not be imposing policy _ politics. i have my views but i will not be imposing policy i _ politics. i have my views but i will not be imposing policy i have - politics. i have my views but i will not be imposing policy i have just| not be imposing policy i havejust made up in a room by myself. labour leader, keir starmer, says his party hasn't got complacent — and repeats calls for a general election. these people are so fed up. they are entitled, they want a say in this. there is a choice to be made. we need a general election. let the public in to decide. do they want to continue with this utter chaos? in other news — xijinping has a third term as china's leader, after being in power for a decade already. ukrainian president zelensky sa

he and penny mordaunt the only ones to have confirmed in the race. to enter the race needs a backing of 100 mp5 to enter the race needs a backing of 100 mps nominating them. the conservative party has 357 mps so one third of the party, that is why there are so few names in the frame with rishi sunak confirming tendency this morning, the only question that is what does borisjohnson do? does he step forward and say i am going to take you on? has some sort of arrangement been reached between him and rishi sunak, given the discussions we know the men had yesterday afternoon. or does he bow out entirely and say thank you for your support but not this time? we will discuss some of the points you have just raised. will discuss some of the points you havejust raised. let's will discuss some of the points you have just raised. let's take viewers through the expected or likely timeline. over the next 2a hours or longer. we will find out who replaces liz truss as early as monday. conservative mps have until then to nominate their preferred candidate. each candi

rishi sunak has 97, borisjohnson 45 and penny mordaunt 21.s worth pointing out that these are the numbers the bbc can verify — others may have different information. mps will vote on monday for their preferred candidate. if more than one reaches the magic number of 100, conservative members will have the final say. jonathan blake reports. three potential contenders to become the next prime minister and replace liz truss in number 10. hasta la visa, baby! the big question is whether boris johnson will attempt a comeback. the former prime minister flew home from holiday in the caribbean overnight. despite being forced out after a series of scandals, his supporters claim he's ready to return to number 10. i think if borisjohnson makes the members�* ballot he would certainly win, and that's certainly the message that i've been getting. of course, he is the only one that had a mandate, that 80—seat majority at the election. he's had a mandate of being elected by the party members before as well. and of course he's proven he's a winner. the frontru

penny mordaunt is here.nd the man leading the call for a general election now, labour leader sir keir starmer. and a man who has been on a journey from deputy prime minister to borisjohnson to now supporting rishi sunak, dominic raab. jacob rees—mogg, who is a boris johnson evangelist. and away from british politics, i've been talking to ukraine's defence minister, oleksii reznikov. with me listening to all the pitches this morning is former governor of the bank of england, mervyn king, professorjane green from oxford university — who will be talking us through the very latest polling — and the former conservative party leader, sir iain duncan smith. good morning. a warm welcome to you, if you're watching here at home or away on bbc world. extra points if you emailed us after last week's show. you can do that any time at kuenssberg@bbc.co.uk, or if you are social media inclined, use the hashtag bbclaurak. we do read them all and we will use some of them on the programme. let's crack on. we are — again — wait

we have not heard from penny mordaunt or rishi sunak in that vein either this weekend.are — weekend. kind of makes my point that the tories are once _ weekend. kind of makes my point that the tories are once again _ weekend. kind of makes my point that the tories are once again involved - the tories are once again involved in the _ the tories are once again involved in the little — the tories are once again involved in the little merry—go—round games are not— in the little merry—go—round games are not in— in the little merry—go—round games are not in governing the country. meanwhile, the new chancellor that had to— meanwhile, the new chancellor that had to replace the new chancellor because _ had to replace the new chancellor because the old chancellor crashed the economy tells us we have to face tax rises _ the economy tells us we have to face tax rises and — the economy tells us we have to face tax rises and cuts to public expenditure. i tax rises and cuts to public expenditure. lam tax rises and cuts to public expenditure. i am sure most of the world _ expenditure. i

which is wh i think penny mordaunt rishi sunak.eople started off i why i think some people started off the afternoon when the leadership for scott _ the afternoon when the leadership for scott announced. it is true that in terms _ for scott announced. it is true that in terms of— for scott announced. it is true that in terms of mp numbers, it does look to he_ in terms of mp numbers, it does look to he at— in terms of mp numbers, it does look to he at the _ in terms of mp numbers, it does look to be at the moment, between rishi sunak— to be at the moment, between rishi sunak and borisjohnson. but, i think— sunak and borisjohnson. but, i thinkwe've _ sunak and borisjohnson. but, i think we've all got very short memories in this and i still think there _ memories in this and i still think there are — memories in this and i still think there are a — memories in this and i still think there are a lot of mps who remember how bad _ there are a lot of mps who remember how bad things come up with boris johnson _ how bad things come up with

all weekend and l into this morning, this woman, penny mordaunt, wanted to stand as well.lock this afternoon to find 100 supporters. just after 1pm, they reckoned they were just a few short, but with minutes to go, one of her biggest backers was having second thoughts. here we are at 1:30pm, half an hour to go, and penny mordaunt�*s campaign, grappling for every possible vote, and you have fled the ship? i possible vote, and you have fled the shi - ? ~ , possible vote, and you have fled the shi . 7 ~ , ' z: z: possible vote, and you have fled the shi-? ~' hi: i: ., , ship? i think there is 100 others, and i understand _ ship? i think there is 100 others, and i understand the _ ship? i think there is 100 others, and i understand the legitimacy i ship? i think there is 100 others, l and i understand the legitimacy of arguing that the party membership should have the same. it's a difficult call, but i think, in the circumstances, where division in the conservative party costs money, it increases the price of money, puts interest rates up, the statesman—like thing to do, i thi

the leader of the commons, penny mordaunt, is the only person to formally announce that she's running, but has fewer supporters. ukrainian officials say around a million and a half households are without power after a new wave of russian attacks. the opportunity of rishi sunak and brentjonnson the opportunity of rishi sunak and brentjonnson meeting the opportunity of rishi sunak and brentjonnson meeting today the opportunity of rishi sunak and brentjonnson meeting today is the opportunity of rishi sunak and brentjonnson meeting today is being talked this evening as the race for the new conservative party leader gathers pace. the bbc understands they were due to meet face—to—face at 3:30pm this afternoon but that was delayed. my colleague says the meeting may still go ahead later. rishi sunak has become the first leadership contender to secure the public support of 100 tory mps — that's the number needed to enter the race to be the next conservative leader and prime minister. but he's yet to announce publicly whether he will bid for the top job — after losing to liz truss last month. m

amid this, a plea for unity by former leadership rival penny mordaunt is on the front of the telegraphso, let's begin. there is sebastien! i'm glad we managed to sort out the communications! i will start out with you, martin. the front page of the daily mail, the plot to topple liz truss this week. tell us all about it. , , liz truss this week. tell us all aboutit. , ,, about it. this is probably the most uniformly appalling _ about it. this is probably the most uniformly appalling set _ about it. this is probably the most uniformly appalling set of- about it. this is probably the most. uniformly appalling set of headlines in british political history. a truly astonishing consistent message across virtually every newspaper. these are including ones that would normally be extremely supportive of conservative prime minister. when the daily mail is going after you in this way you know you are trouble. the story here is that tory mps will try to oust liz truss this week despite warnings that could trigger a general election. it appears that they will go to graham brady, the head of the 192

mordaunt. as it someone or not quite so tainted by — mordaunt.t delivering for our constituents. _ ., start delivering for our constituents. , constituents. boris johnson is the man who won _ constituents. boris johnson is the man who won at _ constituents. boris johnson is the man who won at that _ constituents. boris johnson is the man who won at that 80 - constituents. boris johnson is the man who won at that 80 seat - man who won at that 80 seat majority, you joined in 2019 when he led the party to victory. surely there are still some potency and that? ~ ., there are still some potency and that? ~ . ., , , that? we are in a very different situation to _ that? we are in a very different situation to 2019 _ that? we are in a very different situation to 2019 and _ that? we are in a very different| situation to 2019 and absolutely that? we are in a very different i situation to 2019 and absolutely i am proud to stand as a conservative member of parliament, passive that conservative family, but to unite, provide stability to the country, provide s

penny mordaunt is the only person to formally announce that she is running.ew wave of russian attack. giorgia meloni has been sworn in as italy's first prime minister, the first far right leader and

fine penny mordaunt who could do a? one thin that penny mordaunt who could do a? penny mordaunt who could do a? (he: thing that could unite penny mordaunt who could do a? (he: thing that could unite them is the fear of a wipe—out at the next election. and that is the real uniting figure. you have got, rishi sunak, penny mordaunt and even jeremy hunt in there. somewhere in three or a combination of those three or a combination of those three is an alternative to liz truss and people will be exploring. there is no single figure that could get them easily out of this. find is no single figure that could get them easily out of this. and what about how _ them easily out of this. and what about how it _ them easily out of this. and what about how it could _ them easily out of this. and what about how it could work? - them easily out of this. and what. about how it could work? obviously, we are talking about not wanting a long protracted debate and going to the members but there are rules aren't there, that you are not meant to have a no—confidence vote for the first year