It was the showpiece event of the Tory leadership campaign - the four remaining contenders making their pitch to the party faithful from the conference stage.
Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch will battle it out to become the next Tory leader after frontrunner James Cleverly was sensationally knocked out of the election by MPs.
One veteran Tory aide said: 'Some must have left James to try and stop the right winger they liked least... the Cleverly whips have lost control of the numbers.' Mr Cleverly said: I'm grateful for the support I've received on this campaign from colleagues, party members and the public. Sadly it wasn't to be.
The shock will see Mr Jenrick, the former immigration minister go up against Ms Badenoch, the ex-business secretary, who is seen as the favourite of the grassroots, in a ballot of party member. Mr Cleverly enjoyed a breathtaking advance after being seen as the best performer at Tory conference in Birmingham last week, going from 21 supporters to 39.
Mr Cleverly – who last night attended the launch of Boris Johnson's book Unleashed in London with his wife Susannah – paid tribute to his 'close friend' Mr Tugendhat, saying that he would 'have a big role to play in our party's future'.One said: 'We're clear – MPs need to vote for the candidate they want to win, and we think that should be James. That's what we're saying to MPs. Absolutely no games.
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