In a result that left many Conservatives shocked, and some Labour and Lib Dem officials openly delighted, a final vote of Tory MPs saw Badenoch come first, just ahead of Jenrick, with Cleverly last.
Cleverly, who is the shadow home secretary and was the last remaining candidate from the party's centre, had topped the previous round of voting on Tuesday and was the favourite to win, including in the final round among party members.
But the results, announced by Bob Blackman, chair of the party's 1922 Committee of backbenchers, saw Cleverly lose support. He went from 39 votes on Tuesday - just one away from the 40 needed to guarantee a spot - to 37.
Badenoch went from 30 votes on Tuesday to 42. Jenrick moved from 31 to 41. The final decision will now be made in a ballot of Conservative party members, with the result announced on 2 November.
The result was met with dismay among some Tory MPs, many of whom are on the more moderate One Nation wing of the party, yet are left with a choice between two rightwingers as a result of attempts at tactical voting. "We've just been too clever by half," said one.
Another Tory MP said they were now getting messages from local members saying: "What the hell are you doing?"
Party insiders said it was striking how many more moderate party members had engaged with the contest, which added momentum to Cleverly's bid.
Denne historien er fra October 10, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra October 10, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Frozen pensions War Veteran says she lost out on £50,000
Anne Puckridge is travelling 4,400 miles on a mission to persuade the government to right a 'cruel' pensions policy, as Rupert Jones reports
Money hacks How to buy preloved items to give as Christmas gifts
Buying preloved often requires more thought and preparation than buying new, so make time to find the perfect gift.
The Filter Best robot vacuums to keep your home clean and dust free
Stuart Andrews trialled the most powerful robot vacuums - some of which even mop your floors - and these are the ones he rates
Checkatrade How do rogue traders get past its checks?
The site says its tradespeople are 'guaranteed', but some customers say they have lost thousands after using it. Anna Tims reports
End of road Vauxhall workers in shock over plant closure
\"I don't have anything good to say about this place right now,\" someone shouts, as workers flood out of the front gates of the Vauxhall van plant on Luton's Kimpton Road.
Hybrid car sales could be permitted until 2035 to ease all-electric transition
Car manufacturers may be allowed to sell Toyota Prius-style hybrid models in the UK until 2035, as the government looks at ways to loosen electric vehicle sales rules.
Royal Mail falling further behind with delivery targets
Royal Mail has failed to deliver about a quarter of first-class post on time in recent months as its delivery performance continues to decline amid an investigation for missing its targets.
'Dirty money' Why people of all ages are investing in crypto
Miles, a 37-year-old NHS doctor from London, has been trying for years to persuade friends to buy cryptocurrencies.
Work Minister's plan to transform the job market
\"This is why I love jobcentres: because they're intensely hopeful places.\" The employment minister, Alison McGovern, has spent half an hour perched on a desk in an office block in Hoxton, east London, hearing from a group of job coaches.
Shoppers bag Black Friday gifts online but in-store sales lag
UK shoppers visited websites in droves to snap up Black Friday bargains, raising hopes the US-inspired promotional day would finally kick-start a festive spending spree.
