Rory Stewart has refused to back ANY candidates for the Tory leadership in public today after being knocked out of the race.
The surprise star of the contest, who has bucked the trend by refusing to campaign for any rivals.
Ousted candidates Andrea Leadsom, Dominic Raab , Esther McVey and Matt Hancock have all swung behind Boris Johnson as the 1/10-odds frontrunner is expected to clinch power.
Backing the frontrunner will up the chances of the failed candidates of keeping - or getting - posts in Cabinet.
But Mr Stewart told the Mirror Mr Johnson was the one candidate he definitely wouldn't back.
And today he tweeted: "I will not be declaring for anyone today - but I will be voting."
Mr Stewart is attempting to capitalise on his surprise breakthrough in the race by hosting a "thank you" rally at the same time as final results are announced at 6pm.
MPs will tonight choose two final candidates to fight for a month for the votes of 160,000 Tory members.
The International Development Secretary had been the only candidate to rule out a No Deal Brexit .
But his total dropped from 37 MP backers to 27 last night, knocking him out of the contest.
The MP for Penrith and the Border accused rivals of “dark arts” and even offered backers city status as he waged a dramatic fight to stay in the race.
Speaking after the result Mr Stewart said: "I am so moved and inspired by the support I have received over the last few weeks - it has given me a new faith in politics, a new belief in our country.
"I didn't get enough MPs to believe today - but they will. I remain deeply committed to you and to this country."
