Penny Mordaunt has dropped out of the Conservative leadership race at the last minute after failing to secure 100 backers, paving the way for Rishi Sunak to become the next prime minister.

The leader of the Commons had struggled to get fellow MPs to publicly declare as former chancellor Mr Sunak’s support surged.

In a tweet she said: “These are unprecedented times. Despite the compressed timetable for the leadership contest it is clear that colleagues feel we need certainty.

“They have taken this decision in good faith for the sake of the country.”

She added: “We all owe it to the country to each other and to Rishi to unite and work together for the good of the nation.

“There is much work to be done”

Her decision came after Boris Johnson also withdrew from the contest on Sunday evening, despite claiming he had the backing of at least the 100 MPs required to make it on to the ballot.

It now leaves the path open for Mr Sunak, who has a chance of picking up the keys to Downing Street as early as today.

The MP for Portsmouth North, who came third in the race to become prime minister last time round, was the first candidate to declare her leadership bid on Friday afternoon.

Party rules meant each candidate must receive at least 100 nominations by Monday afternoon to stay in the race.

The second leadership contest in three months began last Thursday after the extraordinary resignation of Liz Truss.