Boris Johnson wins backing of eliminated pro-Brexit candidate Dominic Raab

Dominic Raab, backed Boris Johnson as “the only candidate” who will take Britain out of the European Union by October 31.

Raab, a former minister was knocked out of the race to become British prime minister.

The only candidate who will now do this is Boris Johnson and so I’ll be supporting him to become our next Prime Minister,” he told Evening Standard newspaper.

A strong pro-Brexit candidate, Raab had said parliament could be suspended if necessary if lawmakers blocked a no-deal departure from the European Union.

He won only 30 votes from fellow Conservative Party lawmakers in the second round on Tuesday, short of the 33-vote threshold, resulting in his elimination.

The dramatic move came as Tory MPs were staging the third round of voting in the battle to succeed Theresa May as Prime Minister, with five candidates left.

The candidate with the fewest votes on Wednesday will be eliminated, leaving four still in the race.

In the crucial battle for second place, Environment Secretary Michael Gove was fighting to close a narrow four-vote gap between him and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid was hoping to avoid relegation by overtaking International Development Secretary Rory Stewart, whose odds lengthened after a mixed performance in the TV debate.