Mordaunt backers are counting on ‘stop-Sunak’ MPs if Johnson falls

With the Conservative party bitterly divided, the leader of the Commons is seen as a unity candidate

• Johnson, Sunak and Mordaunt get early backing in Tory leadership race - live

Supporters of the Tory leadership contender Penny Mordaunt are poised to target anti-Sunak" MPs should Boris Johnson pull out of the race, amid warnings that the government will descend into ongoing warfare" should the former chancellor win the top job.

Rishi Sunak is well ahead in terms of public backers and the only one to demonstrate that he has secured the support of 100 MPs, which he needs to officially enter the race. He is likely to secure more big backers over the weekend. On Saturday he also won the support of figures previously close to Johnson - namely former Brexit minister Lord Frost and former health secretary, Steve Barclay.