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		</div><p>The Tory leadership race has exploded into life, with UK Cabinet minister Rory Stewart launching an attack on Boris Johnson and British Health Secretary Matt Hancock entering the contest.</p>
<p>As the battle heated up, International Development Secretary Mr Stewart said he could not serve in a government led by Mr Johnson because of his stance on a possible no-deal exit from the EU.</p>
<p>The comments came as Labour insisted it would force a Commons vote of no confidence in the new prime minister as soon as possible.</p>
<p>As Tory tensions rose, Mr Stewart told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme a no-deal exit would be “damaging and dishonest”.</p>
<p>He said: <em>“I could not serve in a government whose policy was to push this country into a no-deal Brexit.</em></p>
<p><em>“I could not serve with Boris Johnson.</em></p>
<p><em>“I spoke to Boris, I suppose, about two weeks ago about this and I thought at the time he had assured me that he wouldn’t push for a no-deal Brexit.</em></p>
<p><em>“So, we had a conversation about 20, 25 minutes and I left the room reassured by him that he wouldn’t do this.</em></p>
<p><em>“But, it now seems that he is coming out for a no-deal Brexit.”</em></p>
<p>Mr Stewart said there was no majority in the Commons for no deal, stating: <em>“I think it would be a huge mistake. Damaging, unnecessary, and I think also dishonest.”</em></p>
<p>Former British foreign secretary Mr Johnson, who has emerged as the bookies’ favourite, stressed he would be prepared to back a no-deal departure to ensure the UK leaves the EU on October 31.</p>
<p>Mr Hancock said he was running for leader because the party needed to look to the future and attract younger voters.</p>
<p>He said he would take a different approach to try and get Commons support for a Brexit deal than the one Theresa May used.</p>
<p>He said: <em>“She didn’t start by levelling with people about the trade-offs.</em></p>
<p><em>“I think it is much, much easier to bring people together behind a proposal if you are straightforward in advance.”</em></p>
<p>Mr Hancock warned against an early election, saying: <em>“Some of my contenders may say that if they don’t get their preferred option, whether it be no deal or something else, then they’ll have a general election.</em></p>
<p><em>“I put it to you that would be a disaster for the country and it would risk Corbyn by Christmas.”</em></p>
<p>Asked if Labour would force a Commons no confidence vote in the new prime minister when they take office, shadow chancellor John McDonnell told the Today programme: <em>“Yes.</em></p>
<p><em>“Because we believe any incoming prime minister in these circumstance should go to the country anyway and seek a mandate.”</em></p>
<p>Mr McDonnell said that Labour needed to have a new “conversation” about the way forward on Brexit.</p>
<p>International Trade Secretary Liam Fox has refused to rule himself out as a Tory leadership candidate.</p>
<p>Asked if he would stand, Dr Fox told the BBC: <em>“Well, I don’t think it’s likely to happen, but, as you say, it’s an unusual contest.”</em></p>
<p>Dr Fox said: <em>“It is best for us to leave with an agreement.</em></p>
<p><em>“But, I think that it is possible, and probably increasingly likely now, that we could leave without a deal because I think there’s a limited patience from the European Union with Britain’s constant delay.”</em></p>
<p>Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd, who has said she will not stand for the top job, told the BBC: <em>“I would be very concerned about somebody who is too enthusiastic about no deal.</em></p>
<p><em>“It is very important that whoever takes this on looks for a solution and tries to work to find where the majority of the House (of Commons) is.”</em></p>
<p>More than a dozen Tories are understood to be considering a bid, with Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt indicating he will be in the race and former work and pensions secretary Esther McVey putting herself forward “as a future leader”.</p>
<p>The new Tory leader looks set to take over as prime minister at the end of July after Mrs May finally laid out a timetable for her exit from Downing Street.</p>
<p>The timetable for the contest will see nominations close in the week of June 10, with MPs involved in a series of votes to whittle down what is set to be a crowded field to a final two contenders.</p>
<p>Tory party members will then decide who wins the run-off.</p>
<p>Hosting a radio call-in on LBC, Ms McVey said: <em>“I’ll put my hands up here, I better declare an interest straight away. I have put myself forward as a future leader.”</em></p>
<p>And Graham Brady quit as the leader of the 1922 Committee – a position which gave him a significant role in the Prime Minister’s departure – in order to consider a leadership bid.</p>
<p>Environment Secretary Michael Gove – who stood in the 2016 leadership race and may consider another bid – said Mrs May “deserves our respect and gratitude”.</p>
<p>Home Secretary Sajid Javid, who had a “frank” discussion with Mrs May about her deal on Thursday, said “nobody could have worked harder or had a greater sense of public duty”.</p>
<p>Leading Eurosceptic Steve Baker said he is “considering” running.</p>
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