Winning the support of Boris Johnson will be seen as a coup for Andrea Leadsom, as he is a popular figure among the grassroots and has earned considerable sympathy since his own campaign was thwarted by Michael Gove, says the Guardian’s Anushka Asthana.

The manner in which Gove let his friend down has caused the justice secretary’s campaign to have a slow start, with some MPs saying they feel that there is a question of trust.

The decision for Johnson to back Leadsom could be hugely significant given there are still almost 20 MPs who were going to back him but who haven’t yet declared for another candidate.

If they swing behind Leadsom, the battle will become a clear two-horse race.

One MP reacted to the news by declaring “revenge served cold” and said the move could give her an additional 25 MPs.