Another of the county's MPs has announced she is backing Boris Johnson in the race to become Prime Minister.

Helen Grant, MP for Maidstone and The Weald said she is supporting the former Foreign Secretary after he sailed through the latest leadership ballot, gaining 126 votes - a significant lead over his closest rival Jeremy Hunt who received just 46.

Mrs Grant previous backed Dominic Raab before he was knocked out of the race in yesterday's vote.

"I am proud to have supported Dominic Raab in the Conservative Leadership contest," she said.

"He fought a very good campaign and will undoubtedly have a big part to play in the future of our party and our country.

"Following last night’s second ballot, I will now be wholeheartedly supporting Boris Johnson to be our next Prime Minister.

"He is clearly the only remaining candidate who has the required resolve to deliver Brexit by the end of October.

"However, importantly, he also has the ideas, energy and personality required to unite our country around a domestic agenda which will provide opportunities to everyone in the UK irrespective of their background."

This week sees the continuation of successive votes until two candidates remain.

The prospective leaders will then face postal vote by all party members before the winner is announced in the week starting Monday, July 22

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