Boris Johnson oozed confidence tonight as the votes were counted in the crucial second stage of the Tory leadership contest.

Mr Johnson emerged from voting telling reporters he was looking forward to the BBC TV debate in just a couple of hours. 'See you later!' he said.

But International Development Secretary Rory Stewart admitted his campaign is on a knife edge.

He has been calling known supporters of his rivals as he scrambles to avoid being ejected from the battle this evening.

Mr Stewart joked that he must be 'doing something right' earlier amid claims Mr Johnson is deploying dirty tricks to avoid facing him in the run-off.

The former foreign secretary has been accused of plotting to 'lend' some of his massive support to rival Jeremy Hunt. Allies believe Mr Hunt will be easier to beat in the final vote of Tory members than the International Development Secretary or Environment Secretary Michael Gove.

As he arrived to vote in a Commons committee room tonight, Mr Stewart jibed that he had been trying to woo Mr Johnson's campaign chief Gavin Williamson.

'Apparently he is lending votes so I'm very keen on him to lend me 15 votes to get through,' he told reporters.

He admitted he was 'not confident' that he had the 33 votes needed to avoid automatic eviction from the contest.

Sajid Javid and Dominic Raab are also thought to be close to falling at the hurdle. The lowest placed contender goes regardless of how many votes they get.

If Mr Stewart manages to get through his prize will be to face off against Mr Johnson and other contenders in a BBC TV debate at 8pm. A strong performance there could help him overhaul Mr Hunt and finish in the top two as this phase of the contest wraps up on Thursday.

Mr Stewart said: 'I have got to simultaneously write my resignation speech and prepare for the debate at the same time.'

Mr Javid said he was 'quietly confident that everything will be fine' and was 'looking forward to the debate'.

Theresa May had a sharp response when asked who she voted for. 'As I said last week none of your business,' she said.

Mr Johnson came to Parliament to vote tonight with close ally Conor Burns (pictured left)

Boris Johnson (pictured arriving at Parliament today) has been accused of plotting to 'lend' some of his massive support to rival Jeremy Hunt

Allies of Boris Johnson believe Jeremy Hunt would be easier to beat in the final head-to-head vote than Rory Stewart (pictured arriving at today's Cabinet meeting in Downing Street)

Jeremy Hunt seemed in good spirits as he was driven into Parliament this evening

This is the set of the BBC debate where the surviving Tory leadership candidates will face off at 8pm tonight

As tensions rose today, Mr Gove and Home Secretary Mr Javid targeted Mr Stewart as the other half of a pincer movement looking to encircle the surprise second favorite.

Mr Gove pleaded lead with Tory MPs not to vote for Mr Stewart to get into the final two, saying 'it would be a mistake to put forward two candidates to the final round who will polarise our party,' in an article for the Times.

However, he also held out an olive branch to Mr Stewart by saying he wanted him 'at the heart of my team' in future. If the minister is kicked out of the race his endorsement will be fought over.

Mr Javid used a radio interview to warn that the leadership run-off does not 'look like a debate at the Oxford Union' - a jab at Mr Johnson and Mr Stewart's privileged backgrounds.

What happens next in the battle for the Tory crown? Tory MPs voted in the second round of the contest to select Britain's next PM between 3pm and 5pm. The result is due to be announced at 6pm. The six candidates still standing need to gain at least 33 votes from MPs to stay in the race. If all of them pass the threshold, the one with the lowest total will be eliminated. There is then due to be a live TV debate at 8pm on the BBC that will feature the front-runner and former foreign secretary, Boris Johnson. By the end of the week, four of the six current riders will be forced out, leaving the final two to go head-to-head for votes from the 160,000 Tory members. That process should be complete by next month, with the new PM expected to take over from Theresa May in the week of July 22.. Advertisement

He also suggested that Mr Stewart was 'effectively telling us we should remain in the EU' - causing the International Development Secretary to retort that he was in favour of a 'moderate and pragmatic Brexit'.

Supporters of Mr Stewart were also ramping up their rhetoric, with Justice Secretary David Gauke urging people to think how they would 'feel' if he was knocked out tonight.

'A question for my colleagues who: - want the leadership candidates properly tested - believe we should leave the EU with a deal - want a great communicator capable of pulling off a surprise with the membership ...

'How would you feel if @RoryStewart got 32 votes tonight?'

This morning Cumbria MP Mr Stewart 'liked' a tweet branding the move by Team Boris as 'juvenile and pathetic' and 'no way to choose a prime minister'.

And he added: 'I seem to be doing something right.'

One senior Tory source told MailOnline the fact it is a secret ballot meant Mr Johnson himself could vote for Mr Hunt and no-one would know.

'Tactical voting was seriously considered on the May campaign in 2016, because she would have been better off facing Michael Gove in the run-off. But it never came to that because Leadsom dropped out,' they said.

'They could well do it. But it has to be kept to the core group or you have to tell too many people. I wouldn't be surprised if Boris himself ended up voting for Hunt.'

However, an MP backing Mr Hunt said Mr Johnson's camp were 'making excuses' in case their vote did not go up significantly. 'It's a load of cobblers,' they said.

A source on Mr Javid's team said they were not 'detecting any signs' that the numbers were slipping.

'It feels like we've taken off but we are not sure if we've got enough fuel for the flight. Fortunately it is only a short haul... we will see at 6pm,' he said.

Theresa May (pictured arriving at Parliament for the vote tonight) refused to say who she was backing when asked by reporters

Michael Gove and Boris Johnson backer Matt Hancock share a joke in Downing Street this morning

Sajid Javid, who has attacked his rivals' privileged backgrounds, gave a thumbs up as he arrived for the Cabinet meeting today

Mr Johnson's father Stanley has also waded in, warning on Sky News against having Eton-educated Mr Stewart taking on his son in the head-to-head

Jeremy Hunt, pictured today, is reported to be receiving votes from Boris backers in a bid to get him through to the final two in the Tory leadership race - because he is seen as easier to beat

A poll of activists by the ConservativeHome website today found Mr Johnson was still way ahead - but Mr Stewart has been gaining ground

The wrangling came as Brexiteer former Tory leadership candidate Andrea Leadsom became the latest high-profile figure to back Mr Johnson today.

Without naming the International Development Secretary, Mr Gove told the Times: 'It is vital that the Conservative Party puts forward the right person who can stop (Jeremy) Corbyn.

Boris Johnson's father warns against 'Eton vs Eton' Tory run-off Boris Johnson's father Stanley today warned against Rory Stewart facing his son in the run-off. Mr Johnson senior said it was important to minimise 'blue-on-blue' fighting during the campaign. And in a reference to the fact that both his son and Mr Stewart went to the same elite public school, he added: 'We certainly don't want to see Eton vs Eton.' Advertisement

'The new leader must have a plan to deliver Brexit; and crucially, the debating ability to win the arguments in parliament and beyond.

At this stage of the leadership contest, it is also vital for Conservative MPs, who are narrowing the field of contenders to two people, to give the party's membership a true choice.

'As well as having the ability to take on Corbyn, the final two should be candidates who believe in Brexit, who can deliver it and who can unite the party.'

But Mr Stewart appears to be holding onto his support among Tory members. A new poll from Conservative Home today showed he has pulled away in second place in the last week.

But he remains miles behind Mr Johnson, who looks almost certain to win the member vote.

Mr Javid said he is 'less Homer's Iliad and more Homer Simpson' today as he lashed out at his privileged rivals in the race to become the next prime minister.

Mr Stewart was pictured chatting to Mr Gove outside Parliament yesterday afternoon

The Home Secretary warned that the Tory leadership race risked looking like a debate at the Oxford Union if the final candidates are all from similar backgrounds - unlike Mr Javid who was educated at a comprehensive school.

Philip Hammond is 'prepared to resign' over Theresa May's legacy spending Philip Hammond is said to be prepared to sensationally resign as Chancellor before Theresa May in a row over her decision to spend billions of pounds on cementing a political legacy before she quits as Prime Minister. Senior Government sources told the Press Association agency that tensions between Treasury and Number 10 officials have reached boiling point over her spending intentions. Mr Hammond is understood to be so against the plans that he is prepared to quit the Government in what would be an extraordinary move just weeks before the PM leaves office. Tensions have surfaced over Mrs May's intention to spend up to £9 billion per year over three years on education, totalling £27 billion, including plans to build new schools and pay teachers higher wages, the well-placed source said. The Chancellor is thought to be particularly angry that the plans could tie the hands of her successor, which the source said was 'immoral' and 'irresponsible'. Advertisement

'I may have been culture secretary but I don't have the oratory of Cicero, it's less Homer's Iliad and more Homer Simpson,' he told the BBC.

'But I try my best to connect and I think it's very important as a modern Conservative Party that we reach out to those modern audiences.

'If we end up in a situation where the final two, three, four even are people from similar backgrounds with similar life experiences and it will look like a debate at the Oxford Union and I just don't think that's healthy for the Tory Party.

Mr Stewart, meanwhile, said he has 'no problem' being the 'stop Boris' candidate and would 'love' to go against Mr Johnson in the final two.

'I have no problem with that and I would love to go against him in the final two in order to give members the chance to choose whether they want Boris's Brexit or mine,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

The International Development Secretary also faced questions about his back story, amid reports that he allegedly worked as a spy.

Asked if former spies could, under the law, answer honestly whether they worked for MI6, he said: 'No, and in fact the law wouldn't allow newspapers to reveal the identity of intelligence officers...

'I definitely would say I served my country and if somebody asked me whether I am a spy I would say no.'

Andrea Leadsom backs Boris as Tory rivals vie for second place Brexiteer former Tory leadership candidate Andrea Leadsom became the latest high-profile figure to back Boris Johnson today. The former Commons leader and 2016 leadership runner-up was knocked out in the first round of voting last week with just 11 backers. In an interview on LBC radio this morning, she said she was backing the favourite: 'I think he will be a very good leader for our country.' Advertisement

Tory MPs will vote in the second bout of the contest to select Britain's next prime minister between 3pm and 5pm.

The result is due to be announced at 6pm.

Candidates need to gain at least 33 votes from MPs to remain in the race to reach the final run-off, which will see some 160,000 Tory members select the next prime minister.

If all candidates pass the 33-vote threshold, the one with the lowest total will be eliminated.

There is then due to be a live TV debate at 8pm on the BBC that will feature the front-runner and former foreign secretary, Mr Johnson.

By the end of the week, four of the six current riders will be forced out, leaving the final two to go head-to-head for votes from the Tory grassroots.

Boris pulls away in race to become the next Tory leader The race to become Conservative leader is entering the final week of selection by MPs, with the field continuing to narrow. Four of the six current riders will be forced out before the end of the week in a series of votes by their parliamentary colleagues, leaving the final two to go head-to-head for votes from the Tory grassroots. So what is the current state of play - who has the most backers, who is the smart money on and who could prove to be a dark horse? Boris Johnson The first round of voting saw Mr Johnson sprinting far ahead of all his rivals, with 114 backers. He remains the overwhelming favourite despite criticism of his media avoidance strategy, including refusing to debate in Sunday's hustings on Channel 4 and another with Westminster lobby journalists on Monday. The former foreign secretary has seven Cabinet colleagues supporting him so far, including Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay, Attorney General Geoffrey Cox and Transport Secretary Chris Grayling. Former leadership candidate Matt Hancock, Health Secretary, pulled out on Friday and has decided to back Mr Johnson, in a blow to his competitor Michael Gove. Jeremy Hunt The Foreign Secretary secured 43 votes in the first round and is set to do well this week. A solid performance in his current job sets him apart from Mr Johnson, who has faced criticism over his role in the continuing imprisonment of British-Iranian citizen Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, but Mr Hunt has come under fire for his stance on abortion. Cabinet backers include Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt, Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox and Business Secretary Greg Clark. Michael Gove The Environment Secretary won 37 votes in the first round. He managed to weather a hypocrisy storm last weekend over his admission he took cocaine, despite writing about how he disagreed with 'London's liberal consensus' on loosening drugs laws. Mr Gove has won support from four Cabinet colleagues - Education Secretary Damian Hinds, Scottish Secretary David Mundell, energy minister Claire Perry and Commons Leader Mel Stride. Dominic Raab The former Brexit secretary missed a podium position in the first round of voting, gaining 27 votes. Controversial comments about being willing to prorogue Parliament to force through a no-deal Brexit became a lightning rod for criticism by fellow candidates at the Channel 4 hustings on Sunday. Mr Raab has no Cabinet backers yet, with much of his support, including from hard Brexiteers who had previously expressed support for him, apparently leaching away to Mr Johnson. Sajid Javid The Home Secretary won 23 votes from MPs in the first round. Some insiders believe he could make an unexpected late surge due to his everyman credentials, as the only candidate not to have attended public school or an Oxbridge university and the son of a bus driver. His backers include immigration minister Caroline Nokes, Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright and universities minister Chris Skidmore. Rory Stewart The International Development Secretary squeaked through the initial rounds with 19 MPs backing him. He has not shied away from confrontation, denouncing Mr Raab's desire to prorogue Parliament, and has won plaudits for a campaign where he has been speaking to the public in various parts of London. The newest member of Cabinet, Mr Stewart is backed by Justice Secretary David Gauke, and received a major boost on Monday when Cabinet Office Minister and de facto deputy prime minister David Lidington announced his support. Advertisement

'I won't do a deal with Boris', says Farage as poll shows almost HALF of Tory members would be 'happy' if the Brexit Party founder joined their party and became LEADER

Nigel Farage has ruled out an electoral pact with Boris Johnson or any other Tory leader as he hit out at attempts to 'buy me off'.

The Brexit Party leader said he had been approached by Conservative officials about working together to avoid splitting the Brexiteer vote.

It came as a new poll showed that almost half of Conservative members would be happy for Mr Farage to lead their own party.

Some 46 per cent of members surveyed by YouGov for the Times said that they would be happy if the former Ukip leader joined the party and landed the top job.

The shock numbers show just how divisive Brexit has become in politics, with the Tories languishing in fourth place in the polls.

The Brexit Party is currently in first place ahead of the Liberal Democrats, with Labour third.

Speaking to the Daily Express, Mr Farage said: 'I've been approached by a couple of people. But why would I trust anybody in the Conservative Party?

'If they really want to leave on October 31, they need to get on with it. All I can see at the moment is a rerun of March 29.

'I can understand why they want to buy me off but the lack of trust means it's not up for grabs.'

Mr Johnson has already played down the chances of an electoral pact with Nigel Farage's party, which is ahead in the polls

Mr Farage said: 'I can understand why they want to buy me off but the lack of trust means it's not up for grabs'

The YouGov poll also revealed that 40 per cent of Tory voters would be 'unhappy' if Farage joined and became leader.

Allies of Mr Johnson had already ruled out a pact, saying yesterday he did not 'need' to do a deal with Mr Farage, despite the rising threat from his new party.

The arrangement could mean the Brexit Party does not field candidates against Tories they see as committed to making a clean break from the EU.

Brexit minister James Cleverly said if Mr Johnson became PM he would not need to do a deal with Mr Farage.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I can't see that is something he would want to do and it is not anything he would need to do.

'He is able to win elections with Conservatives and Conservative support. He didn't broach electoral pacts in London and I can't imagine he would need to broach electoral pacts at this point.