Kent MP Tom Tugendhat received donations for his bid to become Conservative Party leader and Prime Minister totalling £120,000, records show.

The MP received the largest sum of all candidates who have declared their campaign donations in the Register of MPs' interests.

The Tonbridge and Malling MP was eliminated from the contest in the third round ballot after receiving the lowest number of votes from his colleagues.

His fighting fund included a single donation of £50,000 from Ian Mukherjee, a long-standing party donor, along with £42,173 from London-based company Policy Focus, of which £8,872 was listed as ‘debate preparation’.

Some £25,000 was donated by Beacon Rock Limited, a company owned by former Conservative Party treasurer Sir Michael Davis.

Another £6,000 came from business consultancy InvestUK. It has previously supported the MP in his work as chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

The level of financial support for the MP’s campaign is indicative of the view that despite having had no direct experience in government, he was regarded as a serious proposition.

After his defeat, he urged his backers to support Liz Truss, saying that she was best placed to lead the party after conversations with her.

However, the campaign bid by fellow Kent MP Rehman Chishti did not attract as much support, on the basis of the latest Register of Interests.

No donations have been recorded for his campaign which was mocked by some on the basis that he was virtually unknown outside his constituency of Gillingham and Rainham.

He failed to secure enough votes to get on the shortlist - he gained one MP’s backing.

MPs are required to update the Register of Interests within 28 days of receiving any donations or gifts.