Fox eliminated from the leadership race in the first round, as May tops the ballot with 165 votes

Leadsom came second with 66, followed by Gove on 48 and Crabb on 34.

WATCH: “Theresa’s a bloody difficult woman…” – Clarke and Rifkind’s candid discussion of the leadership contenders

“…with Michael as Prime Minister we’d go to war with at least three countries at once…”

Fox’s authentic appeal. Gove’s turbulent genius. Leadsom’s fresh start. Which Brexiteer should face May in the final?

An awesome responsibility will greet the eventual winner. The new Prime Minister must rise to the greatest national challenge since that which confronted Churchill.

Interview. Crabb on his “party and national unity candidacy”. And why we need a One Nation Government that gets on with Brexit.

“I think that I’m somebody with a strong grasp of some of the social and economic divisions in our country and with a sense of direction for the future.”

Ten questions for Fox

Are you simply a candidate of the Right? How would you handle a Democrat administration in America?

Crabb, Fox, Gove, Leadsom or May? Take our special leadership survey

Click through to have your say.

Scott Mann: Working class, state-educated, experienced, radical, solid for Brexit – Fox is the leader we need

The case for Fox. He will ensure that promotion is based on merit – not upon which dinner party you attend. And he wants a directly-elected Party Chairman.

WATCH: Fox interviewed by Andrew Neil

“I think it is preferable to be a Brexiteer rather than a Remainer.”

Our politicians should spend more time in bed

An under-reported contributor to this week’s events is that they aren’t getting enough sleep.

It was May’s week. But it could be Leadsom’s weekend.

Fox looks marooned. Gove is fighting to stay afloat…and the wind is in the sails of the Energy Minister.

Iain Dale: How women could soon lead our two main parties – plus Scotland’s leading three, and a Welsh one

Plus: Leadsom comes up on the rails. Why men should never wear red trousers. And: 100 years on from the Battle of the Somme.

Liam Fox’s launch statement: full text

“Each job has for me been an enriching and learning experience – and I believe that experience matters.”

Men v May, round two. As I write, she seems to be winning.

Today, the Home Secretary’s distance and difference from the two men who have run the Government and the two others who planned to succeed them is serving her in good stead.

Sensation! Gove breaks with Johnson. He will stand for the leadership. So will Leadsom. Fox, Johnson and May launch their campaigns today.

Great entertainment, perhaps; baleful overtones for Party and country, certainly.

Our Next Tory Leader survey finds May leading Johnson by just ten votes in well over a thousand

Fox and Leadsom are on 13 per cent, Crabb is on 9 per cent, the rest are nowhere.