Liam Fox To Run For Tory Party Leadership

Former defence secretary Liam Fox is to announce he will stand for the leadership of the Conservative Party.

Dr Fox joins Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb in throwing his hat into the the ring to replace David Cameron at 10 Downing Street.

Former London mayor Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Theresa May are also expected to enter the race.

Dr Fox lost out to Mr Cameron in the election for the Tory Party's top job in 2005. 

Sky's senior political correspondent said: "He is a strong right-winger in the party, he's got good grassroots support, particularly in the South West - so he does carry votes with him.

might be if he doesn't get down to the last two he can put his patronage, his supporters, behind Stephen Crabb or Theresa May. So it is a win-win for him.

"He gets to go on the ballot and if he doesn't make it to the final two he still gets a seat at the Cabinet table, no doubt."

Mr Crabb entered the contest with Business Secretary Sajid Javid as his running mate.

The MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire, who backed staying in the European Union during the referendum campaign, said on Wednesday as he launched his bid for the leadership, that the Leave vote had left society "divided".

"I really worry about how we're going to stitch this all back together," he said.

"When you're the governing party, disunity has wider implications."

However, he added there could be no "stepping back" from the referendum result and ruled out a second ballot.

Some senior Conservatives have already confirmed they will be backing Brexit campaign frontman Mr Johnson.

But an email sent from the wife of Justice Secretary Michael Gove, who campaigned to alongside him to lead the EU, has emerged which expresses concerns about the level of support he enjoys among party members and the media.

A survey for the ConservativeHome website has put Ms May narrowly ahead of Mr Johnson among party members.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Education Secretary Nicky Morgan are also considering campaigns.

Leadership hopefuls have until noon on Thursday to register their interest in running.