The final two candidates will now be put to Conservative Party members with the result due on 2 November, marking a critical moment for party leadership.
Cleverly thanked his supporters for their backing, adding, 'Sadly it wasn't to be. We are all Conservatives, and it's important the Conservative Party unites...'
One senior MP noted, 'It's not a result I expected... There may have been a degree of complacency in one camp,' highlighting the unpredictability of the race.
The eventual winner of the contest will replace Rishi Sunak as leader of the Conservative Party after Sunak announced his resignation earlier this year.
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