'None of your business!' Theresa May refuses to say who she voted for to replace her
Theresa May has had the difficult task of having to vote for her replacement as leader this morning - but she will not be saying who she voted for.
The Prime Minister was asked who she wants to be the next Tory leader as voting opened on today’s first ballot - and she joked: "That's none of your business!”
One person Mrs May will probably not be voting for is for current favourite Boris Johnson, who launched several attacks on the PM’s Brexit stance after quitting as Foreign Secretary last year.
Mrs May has so far been hesitant to fire back at her former Cabinet colleague but she will no doubt make her feelings clear by voting for one of his rivals.
A shock poll of Conservative members this morning found that outsider Rory Stewart now stands as the second favourite choice behind Mr Johnson to take over as PM.
Mr Stewart has become something of a social media star during the course of the campaign - but he has struggled to secure much support with MPs.
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And it is MPs who will ultimately decide who the final two will be before the vote is thrown open to members - where Mr Johnson commands a 40 point lead over Mr Stewart.
As MPs voted, leadership contender, and former Leader of the House of Commons, Andrea Leadsom said she was “feeling very positive and optimistic and hopeful” that she will go through to the next round.
Asked who he thought would be eliminated, Jacob Rees-Mogg, who is backing Boris Johnson, told said: "Mark Harper doesn't seem in a very strong position.”
Leadership candidate and former work and pensions secretary Esther McVey told the Press Association: "I'm the outsider, I know that.”
Asked who she would urge her supporters to back if she is eliminated, Ms McVey said: "I'm not answering that yet."
Asked who he voted for, Environment Secretary and leadership contender Michael Gove said: "The best candidate."
