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Former Tory leadership contender Rory Stewart once climbed out of a fifth-storey window and scaled the building bare-handed to break into his office after getting locked out, it has been claimed.

A former aide for MP Seema Kennedy shared the astonishing anecdote about the time the International Development Secretary climbed out of a fifth-floor window after locking himself out in a thread on Twitter.

Councillor Charlotte Leach said when she was working on the fifth floor of the Norman Shaw North building in Westminster when Mr Stewart – who worked in the office next door – knocked on the door.

Ms Leach wrote: “There was a knock on the door and it was Rory Stewart, who told me that he had locked himself out of his office and asked if he could use our office for a meeting.

“I said it was no problem but before I had a chance to say anything else he walked straight across the office and climbed out of the fifth-floor window and disappeared.”

The Conservative councillor said she “panicked" that Mr Stewart, who has recently faced scrutiny over claims he once worked as a spy, had fallen from the building.

But she added: “Then before I know it he comes walking back into my office through the main door, picks up his stuff and leaves. He had somehow managed to scale the side of the building and break into his office through the window.

“I have honestly never been more shocked in my life. Looking out of the window there was essentially nothing to hold onto so do this day I have no idea how he managed to do it but I was suitably impressed,” she added alongside #RoryWalksOn.

Mr Stewart has been approached for comment.

Scores of people responded to the anecdote, with one saying: "Wait, are you trying to tell us Rory Stewart is actually Spiderman?"

"Bitten by a radioactive spider on his travels obviously," another person said.

Others said the remaining leadership contenders should be similarly tested, asking: "Can we ask the remaining candidates to try this?"

The Twitter thread comes after the International Trade Secretary, who was hailed as “refreshing” and “passionate” by Ms Leach, was knocked out of the race to become the next prime minister.

Mr Stewart was eliminated after coming last in the ballot with 27 votes, 10 fewer than he received in the second vote on Tuesday.

Following the result, Mr Stewart tweeted that he had been "moved and inspired" by the support he had received in recent weeks.

He wrote: "I am so moved and inspired by the support I have received over the last few weeks - it has given me a new faith in politics, a new belief in our country.

"I didn’t get enough MPs to believe today - but they will."

The cabinet minister started as an outsider in the contest but gained support after touring the country.

Mr Stewart has now said who he would now back, but said that he was looking forward to seeing his two children, aged two and four.