A number of MPs have been switching their allegiance over to the final two candidates standing to become the next Conservative Party leader and PM. MPs who initially backed Boris Johnson in the race have been switching camps.

'He's gone with very little grace... and I think this time we won't see him back'

Will Walden, Boris Johnson's former Director of Communications, spoke to #BBCBreakfast after the former PM decided not to stand in the Conservative leadership electionhttps://t.co/biseAxK0cV pic.twitter.com/7lQ3yF5TVG

— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) October 24, 2022

So far, Nadhim Zahawi, Shailesh Vara, James Duddridge and David Morris - who all backed Johnson in the contest - have publicly switched to Rishi Sunak. Michael Fabricant is the first MP to change his nomination from Johnson to Penny Mordaunt.

Currently, 180 out of 357 Tory MPs have gone public with their support - Sunak has the backing of 155 MPs and Mordaunt has 25, according to the BBC's tally.

All over by 2pm?

If Mordaunt fails to reach the 100 MP threshold, it will all be over by 2pm on Monday when nominations close, with Sunak declared the winner. If this scenario pans out, we don't know exactly when he would become PM, because King Charles would need to be involved. There are suggestions that this could happen tomorrow rather than today.

Or a members run-off?

If Mordaunt does, however, reach 100 nominations, there will be an indicative vote among Conservative MPs that will take place between 3:30pm and 5:30pm on Monday.

If no-one withdraws after the indicative vote, Conservative members will decide on the next leader and prime minister. They will take part in an online vote to decide the winner, with the result declared by Friday.

BBC