A new Conservative poll has put Rory Stewart second in the race for Tory leadership.

The Cumbrian MP is still well behind Boris Johnson - who has 54 per cent of the vote.

The poll was carried out by Conservative Home.

It shows Mr Stewart, who represents Penrith and the Border, sitting in second place with 12 per cent of the vote.

Although he is still a long way from his fierce rival Mr Johnson, he is above the other big names - including Dominic Raab, Michael Gove, Jeremy Hunt, Sajid Javid and Esther McVey.

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Mr Stewart was buoyed by the new show of support from party members.

He tweeted: "Interesting....Boris well ahead but I am now - for the first time - second amongst Conservative party members in the ConHome poll. Here’s hoping colleagues are seeing what is happening :)"