Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has dropped his bid to become the next leader of the Conservative Party.

Instead, he is supporting former Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s campaign to replace Boris Johnson.

Mr Shapps tweeted: “Huge thanks to my team for helping to pull together my leadership bid in literally no time! Amongst a field of brilliant candidates I’ve spoken to @RishiSunak who I believe has the competence and experience to lead this country.” 

Mr Sunak launched his leadership campaign at an event in central London today.

Meanwhile, the founders of the agent campaign group T.A.R.G.E.T are urging ABTA and the wider industry to contact all the leadership candidates to ask how they would support the travel industry if elected.

“The lack of support  from the Government over the last two and a half years has been horrendous. We need each of the candidates to set out their policies for the travel industry,” said Jill Waite.

Graeme Brett added: “We are also asking everyone in the travel industry  to take every opportunity to challenge the candidates in the leadership election.

“If there is a radio or television interview with any of the candidates please send in your questions to the candidates about how they will support the travel industry going forward.

“If a candidate cannot promise their support for travel before the leadership election, then there is no chance of them doing so once they become Prime Minister.”