Boris Johnson has thrown his support behind Andrea Leadsom in the Conservative Party leadership contest.
The former London mayor - who saw his own hopes of the leadership dashed following a devastating attack by Michael Gove - praised the Energy Minister as "level-headed, kind and trustworthy".
In a statement, he said: "Andrea Leadsom offers the zap, the drive, and the determination essential for the next leader of this country.
"She has long championed the needs of the most vulnerable in our society.
"She has a better understanding of finance than almost anyone else in Parliament.
"She has considerable experience of government.
"She is level-headed, kind, trustworthy, approachable and the possessor of a good sense of humour.
"Above all she possesses the qualities needed to bring together leavers and remainers in the weeks and months ahead.
"I will be voting for Andrea Leadsom tomorrow."
Earlier on Monday, the former City worker formally launched her leadership bid, declaring she will do "everything in my power to keep the United Kingdom united".
Mrs Leadsom said she knows she can do the job and is confident she can reach out to those who did not vote to leave the European Union.
She said: "I know how to strike a deal in a tough negotiation.
"I know from very long experience how our economy works, and I know, as a woman, how to succeed in a man's world.
"Please don't be afraid.
"We haven't stopped loving our country ... we have just rediscovered citizens are unhappy with the way the economy works for them."
Mrs Leadsom is second-favourite in the race to succeed David Cameron.
Front runner Theresa May saw her campaign boosted by the support of a number of prominent Tory MPs, including Cabinet minister Liz Truss and backbencher David Davis.
The Home Secretary has at least 115 declared supporters among Conservative MPs - more than her four rivals combined.
That figure includes eight members of the Cabinet, among them Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond and Defence Secretary Michael Fallon.
On Monday, Mrs May got the most vocal support in the 1922 Committee hustings for the new prime minister.
Sky's Political Editor Faisal Islam said: "At 1922, Theresa May got most vocal backing, as you'd expect.
"Leadsom won fans, but May's backers seized on A50 (article 50) timing change.
"Intriguingly Gove at 1922 not questioned about what he did to Boris, but was questioned more than once about role of adviser Cummings."
Mrs Leadsom has won the backing of Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers and has at least 36 declared supporters.
Justice Secretary Mr Gove has 25 backers and Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb has 21.
Former defence secretary Liam Fox is yet to reach double figures.
The 330 Conservative MPs will vote on Tuesday in the first round of the leadership contest, with the worst performing candidate eliminated.
Further rounds will take place on Thursday and Tuesday next week until only two candidates remain.
The leader will then be chosen in a ballot of around 150,000 Conservative Party members by 9 September.
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