Conservative former minister Sam Gyimah has announced he is pulling out of the Tory leadership race because there has "not been enough time to build sufficient support".
Mr Gyimah made the announcement shortly after the deadline for taking part in the race to replace Theresa May as Conservative Party leader officially passed.
Announcing his intention to withdraw from the race, Mr Gyimah said: "I entered the Conservative Party leadership contest to broaden the debate and bring the diverse views of millions on Brexit to the fore.
"It has been a tremendous privilege to be able to make the case for a new referendum as a credible solution to break the Brexit deadlock.
"I am hugely appreciative of the support I have received, both in public and in private.
"But I have reached the conclusion that, having entered the race at such a late stage, there simply has not been enough time to build sufficient support, and I have decided to step back.
"My purpose in campaigning for a solution to the break deadlock, and bringing new ideas to help my party win over modern Britain, will not change.
"I wish all the contenders the very best at this challenging time as they make the case to take our country forward."
The 10 candidates for the Tory leadership were confirmed on Monday evening.
They will be Boris Johnson, Jeremy Hunt, Michael Gove, Sajid Javid, Rory Stewart, Dominic Raab, Matt Hancock, Andrea Leadsom, Esther McVey and Mark Harper.
Each received nominations from eight fellow Tory MPs, the number required to enter the race.
