I think honestly that Michael [Gove] came to this decision[Prime Minister candidate] very late, that he needed to step up.

It has become clear just how divided our nation is - between young and old, north and south and those with different education and work backgrounds. So it is clear to me that the next leader of the Conservative Party must be someone who can unite the country.

I think honestly that Michael [Gove] came to this decision[Prime Minister candidate] very late, that he needed to step up.

Let's be honest, the fact that Michael [Gove] announced very late in the process this morning that he was going to put his name forward, showed how much he had wrestled with this.

I have concluded unequivocally that the right person is Michael Gove and I am delighted to be endorsing his candidacy.

I think this is what we must not lose sight of, present a confident, positive and optimistic platform for our country's future in which this Party appeals to the centre ground of British politics.

What is good is the fact that we've got a broad selection of candidates [for Prime Minister]... to choose from, representing a diverse set of backgrounds, a diverse set of perspectives.