Brexit allies in leadership battle as Boris quits
LONDON, 30 Jun - (ANA) - Boris Johnson dramatically quit the Tory leadership battle today after Michael Gove delivered a mortal blow to his hopes of becoming the next British prime minister. The former London mayor made a humiliating exit after the Justice Secretary announced his own bid and questioned his colleague's commitment to cutting ties with Brussels. As the blows rained down on Mr Johnson this morning, key backers Nick Boles and Dominic Raab defected to Mr Gove's campaign and arch-rival Theresa May won support from Leader of the House Chris Grayling - another Brexit champion. Within hours Mr Johnson, who had been the hot favourite, was using an event that had been intended as his campaign launch to rule himself out. ‘Let us seize this chance and make this our moment to stand tall in the world. That is the agenda for the next prime minister of this country,' he said.  'But I must tell you, my friends, you who have waited faithfully for the punch line for this speech, that having consulted colleagues and in view of the circumstances in Parliament, I have concluded that person cannot be me. ‘My role will be to give every possible support to the next Conservative administration, to make sure that we properly fulfill the mandate of the people that was delivered at the referendum and to champion the agenda I believe in.' The Conservatives' ruling 1922 committee has confirmed that the candidates are Mrs May, Mr Gove, Treasury minister Andrea Leadsom, Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb and ex-defence secretary Liam Fox.  Mr Johnson saved his shock withdrawal for the end of a lengthy valedictory speech in which he stressed his achievements in City Hall and urged the UK to look towards a brighter future outside of the EU.  Mr Gove had been expected to play a key role in Mr Johnson's campaign after the pair worked hand in glove to deliver victory for Brexit in the historic referendum. He has repeatedly ruled out making a bid for Downing Street in the past - including memorably offering to record his denial in blood on a parchment.
However, there were hints of tensions with Mr Johnson last night when an email written by Mr Gove's wife surfaced which urged him to seek assurances on key issues. Brexit supporters had been alarmed by an article Mr Johnson penned earlier this week in which he suggested that access to the single market could be more important than curbing immigration.(ANA)

FA/ANA/30 June 2016---------