LONDON — Former mayor of London and prominent Leave campaigner Boris Johnson has pulled out of the leadership race of the Conservative party.

Announcing that he will not stand as Tory leader, Johnson said: "Having consulted colleagues and in view of the circumstances of Parliament I have concluded that person cannot be me."

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“I have concluded that person cannot be me” says Boris Johnson ruling himself out of Conservative election race https://t.co/S2p4nNxJst — BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) June 30, 2016

Before the announcement, Johnson outlined a One Nation Conservative legacy based on reducing inequality and providing opportunity for all.

"This is not a time to quail, it is not a crisis but a moment for hope and ambition for Britain," he said. "This our chance to build a Britain with not just a dynamic free market economy, but where everyone benefits from that success."

The former mayor of London said his role now will be "to give every possible support to the next Conservative administration to make sure that we properly fulfil the mandate of the people that was delivered at the referendum and to champion the agenda that I believe in, to stick up for the forgotten people of this country."

Johnson was widely tipped to be the next prime minister after David Cameron announced his resignation. Johnson is currently MP of Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

Johnson's announcement followed the surprising decision of Justice Secretary Michael Gove to run for the Conservative leadership race.

Gove has criticised fellow Leave campaigner Johnson, saying, "Boris cannot provide the leadership or build the team for the task ahead."

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