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Stephen Crabb has dropped out of the race for the Tory leadership after finishing fourth in the first round of voting.

The Preseli Pembrokeshire MP put his name forward for the Conservative leadership contest and to succeed David Cameron as Prime Minister on a joint ticket with Business Secretary Sajid Javid.

The Work and Pensions secretary finished fourth in the first round of voting amongst Conservative MPs, receiving 34 votes in total.

Home Secretary Theresa May emerged as the frontrunner of the contest after receiving 165 votes, while Andrea Leadsom receiving 66 votes and Michael Gove receiving 48 votes.

Former defence secretary Liam Fox was eliminated after only winning the support of 16 MPs.

Mr Crabb told the BBC: “I entered this leadership race with the overriding goal of putting two themes at the heart of the debate - unity for our divided nation and opportunity to tackle disadvantage in particular.

“And I’ve been overwhelmed by the support I’ve received from colleagues - those who voted for me today but those who didn’t as well, but who made the point to me that they share my one nation vision and they want that one nation vision to be at the heart of the next Conservative government.

“I think tonight we need to recognise that there is only one candidate in a position to unite our party and to form a cohesive and strong government, which our country needs at this time.

“I mean this is a really, really serious moment for this country and so I’ve taken the decision that I won’t put my name forward to the next round of voting but instead of that I’ll be lending my wholehearted support to Theresa May, who is overwhelmingly in the best position to be the next prime minister and the leader of the Conservative Party.”

Mr Crabb, 43, who was brought up in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, is now throwing his weight behind Mrs May, insisting “there is only one candidate” to unite the Tories and form a “cohesive and strong”.

The four remaining contenders are due to face a second MPs’ vote on Thursday, followed by a final round next Tuesday unless any of the candidates has dropped out by that time.