James Cleverly running for Conservative leadership

Former foreign secretary and home secretary James Cleverly has confirmed he is running to become the next Conservative Party leader.

The Braintree MP, who is currently shadow home secretary, posted a video on social media announcing his candidacy on Tuesday evening.

He is the first member of the Conservatives to announce they are in the running to become leader, after the party announced it would hold a three-month leadership contest to replace Rishi Sunak by November.

Mr Sunak has said he will remain as acting leader until a successor is elected.

In the video, Mr Cleverly says the Conservatives need to "re-establish our reputation" as a party who "helps grow the economy, helps people achieve their goals, their dreams and their aspirations".

"We can only do this as a united party, focused on the needs of the British people," he adds.

Mr Cleverly was widely expected to join the race to become Tory leader.

Other potential candidates include former minister Mel Stride, who said he was "considering" going for the role, former immigration minister Robert Jenrick, former home secretaries Suella Braverman and Dame Priti Patel, shadow security minister Tom Tugendhat and shadow communities secretary Kemi Badenoch.