Michael Gove has announced his bid to be the next prime minister, setting up a repeat of the bitter 2016 clash that derailed Boris Johnson’s last campaign.

“I can confirm that I will be putting my name forward to be prime minister of this country,” the environment secretary said, speaking outside his London home.

“I believe that I'm ready to unite the Conservative and Unionist Party, ready to deliver Brexit, and ready to lead this great country.”

Mr Gove – who will set out his detailed pitch later today – is expected to argue he has a proven record running government departments, which makes him more “capable” of delivering Brexit.

His decision to run is the biggest threat to Mr Johnson, the overwhelming favourite, and will electrify a contest that threatened to become a procession.

It will revive memories of the extraordinary twist in 2016, when Mr Gove was Mr Johnson's campaign chairman – only to declare he was unfit to be leader and launch his own doomed candidature.

Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Show all 9 1 /9 Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Boris Johnson Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson has long been hopeful, he previously stood in the leadership contest that followed the Brexit vote and has at many times since been thought to be maneuvering himself towards the goal. He remains a darling of the party's right wing, particularly those in the ERG, and is the most popular choice among Tory voters but his leadership bid would be fiercely opposed by many MPs PA Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Michael Gove Environment secretary Michael Gove is another member who has long wanted to be leader. He has lately been known for rousing his party in the commons, his recent speeches on the Brexit deal and Labour's no confidence motion have overshadowed the Prime Minister's. He has been loyal to the Prime Minister, partly to shed his reputation as a backstabber who abandoned Boris Johnson to stand against him in the 2016 leadership election Getty Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Dominic Raab Former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab has emerged as a favourite to be the Brexiteer candidate in a contest to succeed to Ms May. He displayed a grip on detail in his role as Brexit secretary. When asked recently if he would like to become prime minister he replied "never say never" Getty Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Rory Stewart International development secretary Rory Stewart is pitching himself as the sensible candidate, promising to rule out both a second referendum and a no-deal Brexit. He was only recently promoted to the cabinet, previously serving as prisons minister, where he caught headlines with a pledge to resign if he could not reduce levels of violence within a year PA Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Esther McVey The former work and pensions secretary announced that she will be standing for the leadership when May leaves. McVey is the first to explicitly state that she intends to stand. She resigned from the cabinet in protest over May's Brexit deal AFP/Getty Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Sajid Javid Home secretary Sajid Javid is said to have a plan in place for a leadership race. He made headlines over Christmas when he declared that people smuggling over the English channel was a "major incident" and more recently when he revoked the citizenship of ISIS bride Shamima Begum. Son of a bus driver, he wants the Conservatives to be seen as the party of social mobility PA Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Jeremy Hunt Foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt was recently thought to be the favourite in the event of a leadership race as he could sell himself as the man to unite the party. Critics worry that his long stint as health secretary could return to haunt him at a general election. He has reportedly been holding meetings with Tory MPs over breakfast to promote his leadership PA Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Andrea Leadsom Following the Prime Minister's second defeat over her Brexit deal, Leader of the house Andrea Leadsom hosted a dinner party at which "leadership was the only topic of conversation", The Times heard. Leadsom ran against Theresa May in the 2016 leadership election before dropping out, allowing May to become Prime Minister AFP/Getty Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Priti Patel Former international development secretary Priti Patel is thought to be positioning herself as a contender. One MP told The Independent "she knows she's from the right of the party, the part which is going to choose the next leader, so she's reminding everyone she's there." Patel left the government late in 2017 after it emerged that she had held undisclosed meetings with Israeli officials PA

Since then, Mr Gove has rebuilt his reputation as an energetic, pro-green environment secretary and impressive Commons performer on Brexit, in stark contrast to Theresa May.

He is expected to argue he has a better “track record” than Mr Johnson, who was a controversial foreign secretary, and argue he is a “unity” candidate.

Mr Gove will also argue that, while his rival was the main face of the Vote Leave campaign, he was entrusted with some of the key TV debates which would also feature in a general election.

However, he will struggle to beat Mr Johnson if he reaches the final choice – to be made by the Europhobic Tory membership – having stayed loyal to the prime minister’s Brexit deal, which they loathed.

Furthermore, Tory MPs who appear ready to swing behind Mr Johnson in order to “save their seats” at an election, will be aware that Mr Gove has terrible poll ratings with the public.

The last three, all Brexiteers, have already matched Mr Johnson’s pledge to crash the UK out of the EU on 31 October if necessary, if the EU refuses to renegotiate.

Mr Gove will be under pressure to follow suit – while both Mr Hancock and Mr Stewart have spoken out against a no-deal Brexit.

Meanwhile, Philip Hammond warned that MPs will topple any new Tory prime minister trying to force through a crash-out Brexit and sensationally threatened to join the revolt himself.

The chancellor refused – three times – to rule out joining the no-confidence vote that Labour has vowed to table if a hardline Brexiteer wins the race.

Mr Hammond said any new leader trying to “push through a no-deal exit on 31 October” would immediately face the prospect of having to “leave office”.