Former Lancaster MP Ben Wallace has announced he will not be standing for the leadership of the Conservative party.
Mr Wallace was MP for the former constituency of Lancaster and Wyre from 2005 until 2010, and currently still represents constituents in part of North Lancashire, as the member of parliament for Wyre and Preston North.
He said his focus instead was ‘to keep this great country safe’.
He is also a cabinet minister, serving as Defence Secretary since 2019.
Mr Wallace had been an early bookie’s favourite to succeed Boris Johnson, who quit earlier this week, and until this morning was still second favourite, behind former Chancellor, Rishi Sunak.
In a statement, he said: ‘’After careful consideration and discussing with colleagues and family, I have taken the decision not to enter the contest for leadership of the Conservative Party.
‘’I am very grateful to all my parliamentary colleagues and wider members who have pledged support.
‘’It has not been an easy choice to make, but my focus is on my current job and keeping this great country safe.
‘’I wish the very best of luck to all candidates and hope we swiftly return to focusing on the issues that we are all elected to address.’’


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