'Don't carve up party'

JAMES Cleverly has warned Tory leadership rivals not to "divide up and factionalise" the party as it prepares for the contest to replace Rishi Sunak.

The shadow home secretary said there is a "reasonable chance" he will stand for the party leadership as the Conservatives seek to rebuild after the general election mauling.

There will potentially be a crowded field in the race and Mr Cleverly acknowledged he is not the only one giving it "serious thought."

Former home secretary Suella Braverman is widely expected to launch a bid to lead the party from the right and has warned the Tories must not become "a collection of fanatical, irrelevant, centrist cranks".

But in response, Mr Cleverly said: "Trying to carve up and divide up and factionalise... is the wrong way of thinking."