Matt Hancock’s decision to quit as MP has been a long time coming

Former health secretary's exit from politics may have been on the cards since he was snubbed day Rishi Sunak became PM

Hours after Rishi Sunak was declared Conservative leader, he arrived at the party's headquarters in central London, where he was met by a crowd of beaming, cheering supporters.

As he walked up the steps to the door, he stopped to shake hands and hug a waiting line of Tory MPs who had stood by his side throughout the summer leadership contest against Liz Truss and her disastrous early days in office.