Environment Secretary Michael Gove has confirmed that he will stand to replace Theresa May as Conservative Party leader and Prime Minister.
Mr Gove, who famously knifed Boris Johnson's campaign in 2016 said: "I can confirm that I will be putting my name forward to be prime minister of this country.
''I believe that I'm ready to unite the Conservative and Union Party,ready to deliver Brexit , and ready to lead this great country.''
It comes as an increasingly crowded field turns toxic, with moderate Tory MPs plotting on how best to stop Mr Johnson's juggernaut.
As of Sunday morning Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Health Secretary Matt Hancock, International Development Secretary Rory Stewart and ex-Cabinet ministers Dominic Raab, Esther McVey and Andrea Leadsom had thrown their hats into the ring.
Mr Gove is expected to use his appearance at the Hay Literary festival later today to make his pitch as a "unity" leader.
So naturally he is starting that unity with a swipe at Mr Johnson.
According to The Sunday Times Mr Gove will say that "it is not enough for them [next leader] to just believe in Brexit .
The next leader must respect it, believe in it and, crucially, have the wherewithal to deliver it."
Rory Stewart and Jeremy Hunt also joined in the pile on in the bid to stop Boris Johnson winning the Tory crown.
Mr Hunt claimed his business background would help resolve Brexit as the leadership tussle fired up with International Development Secretary Rory Stewart launching a strongly-worded attack on Mr Johnson.
Both Mr Raab and Mrs Leadsom said they would be prepared to order a no-deal Brexit in October if necessary.
Mr Hunt told The Sunday Times: "If I was prime minister, I'd be the first prime minister in living memory who has been an entrepreneur by background.
"Doing deals is my bread and butter as someone who has set up their own business."
Mr Hunt's emphasis on his entrepreneurial past is being seen as swipe at Mr Johnson who reportedly once said "f*** business" in relation to Brexit.
Sparks began to fly in the contest with Mr Stewart saying he would refuse to serve in a government led by Mr Johnson as he appeared to compare the ex-foreign secretary to Pinocchio.
Mr Stewart was scathing about Mr Johnson's no deal stance, insisting that such a position was "damaging and dishonest".
He told the BBC: "I could not serve in a government whose policy was to push this country into a no-deal Brexit.
