Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss go through to final two as Penny Mordaunt crashes out

Liz Truss says she is ‘incredibly proud’ after making it into final two

Liz Truss embraced the opportunity to travel around the UK to sell her vision for tax cuts and growth to Tory members who will pick the next prime minister.

In a statement, the Foreign Secretary said: “I would like to thank each and every one of my colleagues who have supported me throughout this stage of this contest.

“I would also like to pay tribute to every candidate who stood for the leadership. Each of them has contributed enormously to the Conservative Party and to public life.

“I am excited to now take to the country to make the case to the Conservative Party about my bold new economic plan that will cut taxes, grow our economy and unleash the potential of everyone in our United Kingdom.

“As Prime Minister I would hit the ground running from day one, unite the Party and govern in line with Conservative values.

“I am incredibly proud to be a part of the Conservative and Unionist Party and am excited to spend the next few weeks proving to all of our brilliant members exactly why I am the right person to lead it, and our great nation.”

Penny Mordaunt pictured after hearing news she was eliminated

Labour reacts to results

Labour’s shadow health secretary Wes Streeting tweeted: “Our next prime minister will be someone who propped up Johnson, voted for every one of his 15 tax rises, and parroted his lies.

“After 12 years of Conservative failure they expect to more time to fail. Their time is up. Only Labour offers the fresh start that Britain needs.”

Michael Fabricant backs Liz Truss

Tory MP Michael Fabricant said he was sad Penny Mordaunt had not made onto the final Tory leadership ballot, and announced he was now backing Liz Truss.

He tweeted: “It was close. I’m sad Penny didn’t make it.

“I now back Liz Truss. She stayed loyal to the end and didn’t plot and scheme against #Boris.”

Race frontrunner Sunak has ‘clear mandate’, says his campaign team

Rishi Sunak’s campaign said he had secured a “clear mandate” from Tory MPs and will now “work night and day” to win the backing of the Conservative membership after he made it onto the final ballot for the leadership contest.

A statement read: “This is a really strong result with a clear mandate from MPs.

“He will now work night and day to get the mandate from the wider Conservative party family to beat Labour, protect the Union and seize the opportunities of Brexit.

“The choice for members is very simple: who is the best person to beat Labour at the next election? The evidence shows that’s Rishi.”

Mordaunt says politics can be ‘divisive’ as she congratulates final two candidates

In a statement after her elimination from the contest Penny Mordaunt congratulated Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss.

“I pay tribute to anyone who puts themselves forward for such a demanding role,” she said.

“Politics isn’t easy. It can be a divisive and difficult place. We must all now work together to unify our party and focus on the job that needs to be done.

“I am a One Nation, proud Brexiteer. My campaign put forward a positive vision for the country I love so much, remembering who we are here to serve.

“Our mission is not only to deliver on what we promised but to win the fight against Labour at the next general election. I hope to play my part in both.”

In Liz we Truss: I’m ready to hit the ground from day one

Liz Truss has thanked Conservative MPs for “putting your trust in me” after making it into the final two candidates in the Tory leadership race.

Following the results, which saw her receive 113 votes in the final secret ballot, she added: I’m ready to hit the ground from day one. #LizforLeader”.

She will now face Rishi Sunak before the Conservative Party members who will vote for their next leader and PM, with the result to be announced on September 5.

Penny Mordaunt: We go forward together

Penny Mordaunt has tweeted after being knocked out of the race.

Keeping it short, she said: “Thanks to everyone for all your hard work. We go forward together.”

Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss make final two

Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss will fight it out to become the next Prime Minister after Penny Mordaunt was narrowly eliminated from the race on Wednesday.

The former Chancellor received 137 votes from Tory MPs to be their next leader, while the Foreign Secretary was endorsed by 113 colleagues.

Ms Mordaunt was knocked out with 105 backers.

Focus now shifts to next Monday when BBC One will host a live TV debate with the final two candidates, at 9pm, presented by Sophie Raworth.

The pair have to woo some 200,000 Conservative party members who will vote for their favourite to become PM.

Ballots are being sent out to the membership who have until September 2 to vote.

Breaking: Penny Mordaunt eliminated from the Tory leadership race

Penny Mordaunt has been knocked out of the Conservative leadership contest after receiving the fewest votes from Tory MPs.

She had pitched herself as a “fresh start” and break with the previous premiership.

Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss will now go head-to-head as the final two candidates in the race.

Around 160,000 Conservative Party members will now vote in a postal ballot on their next leader and the next Prime Minister, with the result announced on September 5.

Votes in full

Penny Mordaunt – 105

Rishi Sunak – 137

Liz Truss – 113