Conservative MPs hoping to succeed Liz Truss as British Prime Minister-PM are racing to find backers before a Monday deadline.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has ruled himself out of the contest, adding he is “leaning towards” backing Boris Johnson.

The former PM has not ruled out a dramatic comeback, months after being forced out after a Tory revolt.

Candidates to replace Ms Truss need support from at least 100 colleagues, limiting the contest to three.

She resigned on Thursday just six weeks into the job, making her tumultuous premiership the shortest in British history.