Jeremy Hunt today won a major backer in his race to be Prime Minister despite a furious row over abortion.
Amber Rudd, who leads the 'One Nation' group of Tories, backed the Foreign Secretary saying he had "risen above playground politics" and can "bring all wings of the party together".
The Work and Pensions Secretary also unleashed a furious attack on Boris Johnson - after talks over a joint ticket broke down due to his backing for No Deal Brexit .
She slammed candidates who claim the UK should simply "pick up some magic beans and believe in Britain" adding: "These are serious times. They require a serious leader."
With Michael Gove's campaign the intervention ramps up Mr Hunt's chances of facing Boris Johnson in the final vote by Tory members between two candidates for No10.
But it comes hours after Mr Hunt confirmed he backs slashing the abortion time limit from 24 weeks' pregnancy to 12.
He said "it won't be Government policy to change the law" - but the British Pregnancy Advisory Service warned it will force young women to become "mothers against their will".
"You don’t think women should be trusted to make their own decisions about their own bodies and what is best for themselves and their families. But we do," the campaign group said.
The Lib Dems branded the decision "alarming".
And Labour MP Helen Goodman said it would rule out a legal route to abortion as amniocentesis tests - which detect genetic conditions - only come after 12 weeks.
Squirming Ms Rudd - the UK's former minister for women and equalities - was forced today to insist "this government will always protect women's rights".
Saying it was his "personal private" opinion she added: "I have spoken to Jeremy and there will be no change to abortion law if and when he becomes Prime Minister."
She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "He has reassured me it is not something he would want to do.
"He has reassured me there would be no change if he were Prime Minister. And that is good enough for me.
"Because I know Parliament will not be changing abortion law unless somebody moves to do that."
Mr Rudd unleashed a brutal attack on Tory Boris Johnson, who has promised to leave the EU with or without a deal on October 31.
She wrote in The Times: "It is not enough to be told to shut your eyes, cross your fingers, pick up some magic beans and believe in Britain.
"We need a skilled negotiator and deal-maker, not an instruction for more optimism.
"These are serious times. They require a serious leader who will be listened to in Brussels."
She also savaged Tory Brexiteer Dominic Raab, who has lost Leavers' support in favour if Mr Johnson after he suggested he could shut Parliament to get Brexit through.
Ms Rudd wrote: "Our politics has become angrier, our discourse polluted with "alternative facts" and people chastised if they don't conform to the world view of a minor subset.
"Just because you don't subscribe to no-deal at all costs by dictatorially threatening to prorogue parliament, without any room for reasonable debate, it does not mean you are not a Conservative."
