Menzies backs May for leader

Two candidates are now left in the race.

After the second MPs’ ballot Home Secretary Mrs May and Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom will go head to head for the position.

Conservative members will now decide the winning candidate, with the result due on September 9.

It means the winner will become the UK’s second female prime minister.

Mr Menzies MP said: “I am supporting Theresa May as I believe she has the experience, dedication and determination to lead our country into a new future outside the European Union.

“Following the result of the recent referendum, our country needs strong, proven leadership to steer us through this period of economic and political uncertainty, and to negotiate the best possible agreement for Britain as we leave the EU.

“Theresa May is the longest serving Home Secretary Britain has had since the 1800s. She has overseen a fall in crime to its lowest recorded level and puts Britain’s defence and security at the top of her agenda.

“As Home Secretary she played an active role in agreeing the Strategic Defence and Security Review which confirmed Britain would meet the NATO pledge to spend two per cent of our GDP on defence each year, something which was vital to protect jobs at BAE Systems in Warton.

“She has stood up to the United States over the extradition of Gary McKinnon and negotiated a treaty with Jordan to get the radical cleric Abu Qatada out of Britain after being told we could not deport him.”