David Cameron has said Theresa May will be the new Prime Minister by Wednesday evening, adding he was “delighted” that the Home Secretary would succeed him.
Mr Cameron will chair his last Cabinet meeting tomorrow before attending Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday. He will then go to Buckingham Palace and offer his resignation to the Queen.
Speaking outside Downing Street Mr Cameron said: “I am delighted we’re not going to have a prolonged Conservative leadership election campaign.
“I think Andrea Leadsom made absolutely the right decision to stand aside and it’s clear Theresa May has the overwhelming support of the Conservative parliamentary party.
“I am also delighted Theresa May will be the next Prime Minister. She is strong, she is competent, she is more than able to provide the leadership that our country is going to need in the years ahead and she will have my full support”.
It comes after Andrea Leadsom pulled out of the Conservative leadership just four days into what was expected to be a nine week battle between Ms Leadsom and Ms May.
“The best interests of our country inspired me to stand for the leadership. I believe that in leaving the EU a bright future awaits, where all our people can share in a new prosperity, freedom and democracy,” Ms Leadsom said as she announced her decision.
“The referendum result demonstrated a clear desire for change - strong leadership is needed urgently to begin the work of withdrawing from the European Union.
“A nine-week leadership campaign at such a critical moment for our country is highly undesirable.
Ms May, who was aiming to hedge her bets in the contest as the “unity” candidate following the divisive referendum, is expected to make a statement shortly.
