Tom Tugendhat will take part in the first television debate this evening as he continues his campaign to become the next Conservative leadership contest.

After making it through the second round of voting, the Tonbridge and Malling MP will face Rishi Sunak, Penny Mordaunt, Liz Truss and Kemi Badenoch in the first of three debates.

The first will be hosted by Channel 4 at 7pm tonight, the second on ITV on Sunday and the final debate will be on Sky News on Tuesday, hosted by Kay Burley, and will feature the remaining four candidates.

The third ballot will be held on Monday. A contender will then be eliminated each day until only two remain who will then go forward to a postal ballot of party members.

The next Tory leader and Prime Minister will be announced on September 5.

Mr Tugendhat lost five votes between the first and second ballot and there was speculation that he would withdraw from the race.

But he was quick to quash these rumours saying he "never turned down a challenge because the odds were against me. I don't plan to start now."

This morning, he shared a link to the Johnny Cash song 'I won't back down' and said: "Essential listening for today."

William Hill is currently putting Mr Tugendhat making the final two as 40/1.