(Bloomberg) -- Half of Conservative MPs have publicly stated they are supporting Rishi Sunak to be party leader, setting the former Chancellor on a course to be the next Prime Minister.
Penny Mordaunt has picked up only six more public endorsements from Tory MPs since Saturday leaving her total at 25, well short of the threshold of 100 votes needed for a nomination, according to data compiled by Bloomberg from public statements.
If Mordaunt fails to reach the required numbers of nominations, Sunak will be the only eligible contender, and become Prime Minister without the need for further voting.
Rishi Sunak has picked up several public endorsements from Tory MPs who previously supported Boris Johnson, like James Cleverly and Priti Patel. He has also received the support of party heavyweights like Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and Michael Gove. Sunak has the backing of 179 MPs.
Read More: Sunak Edges Closer to UK Leadership Prize as Johnson Caves
--With assistance from , and .
(Updates tallies.)
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