THE Tory leadership nominations ended in farce yesterday as favourite Boris Johnson dropped out, fatally holed after his Brexit campaigner pal Michael “I am not equipped to be prime minister” Gove threw his hat in.

Following a series of 11th-hour twists and developments the candidates for the Tory leadership race were finalised yesterday as Theresa May, Michael Gove, Stephen Crabb, Liam Fox and Andrea Leadsom.

Former London mayor Mr Johnson, who was by far the bookies’ favourite following last week’s Brexit vote, dramatically ruled himself out.

His decision came just hours after he came under fire from Mr Gove who, announcing his candidature, put the knife into his former Brexit campaign colleague while also bizarrely claiming he had never been interested in the job.

The Justice Secretary said: “I have repeatedly said that I do not want to be prime minister. That has always been my view. But events since last Thursday have weighed heavily with me.

“I respect and admire all the candidates running for the leadership. In particular, I wanted to help build a team behind Boris Johnson so that a politician who argued for leaving the European Union could lead us to a better future.

“But I have come, reluctantly, to the conclusion that Boris cannot provide the leadership or build the team for the task ahead.”

Mr Gove’s previous denials may come back to haunt him.

Commenting on his candidature a Labour spokesman said: “He has repeatedly ruled himself out of standing for the leadership in the past, having said he is ‘absolutely not’ running and putting on record that he thinks he is ‘not equipped to be prime minister.’

“Michael Gove’s candidacy in effect sums up the Tory leadership contest — personal ambition and internal politics before what’s in the best interests of Britain.”

In a live Sky News studio audience earlier this month, Mr Gove denied having leadership ambitions.

He said: “The one thing I can tell you is there are lots of talented people who could be prime minister after David Cameron but count me out.”

Last month, in an interview with the Telegraph, Mr Gove was unequivocal when asked if he could be a leadership candidate.

“No, I’m not. I don’t want to do it and there are people who are far better equipped than me to do it,” he said.
And it’s not the first time Mr Gove’s admitted he’s not up for the job.

At various points since 2012 he has said: “I don’t think I have got that exceptional level of ability required to do the job,” “I don’t have what it takes,” “I am an inconceivable choice as party leader” and “there’s a special extra quality you need that is indefinable, and I know I don’t have it.”

Former shadow business secretary Angela Eagle yesterday delayed her leadership challenge to Jeremy Corbyn following the Tory turmoil.