Alston MP Rory Stewart has been knocked out of the race to become the next Prime Minister.

The international development secretary secured just 27 votes, placing him last out of the five leadership candidates to make it through to the third round.

Large numbers of Conservative Party MPs once again backed Boris Johnson, with the former foreign secretary taking 143 votes cast in tonight's ballot.

Mr Stewart, initially ranked as an outsider in the leadership race, enjoyed a surge in support as the contest progressed, with research company YouGov declaring him the winner of last night's BBC debate among those polled.

However he secured 10 fewer votes tonight than in yesterday's second round vote.

According to the rules of the Conservative Party leadership election, with Mr Stewart coming last in the third round of voting, he has now been eliminated from the race.

Foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt came a distant second place in tonight's vote, with 54 votes.

Michael Gove was close on his heels, with 51 votes.

Sajid Javid received 38 votes.