Tories to bring in 'yellow cards' to stop candidates attacking each other in leadership race

Tory leadership contenders will be given 'yellow cards' if they act aggressively or resort to personal insults, it has been announced.

Six MPs - James Cleverly, Kemi Badenoch, Robert Jenrick, Tom Tugendhat, Dame Priti Patel and Mel Stride - will slug it out to replace Rishi Sunak. Bob Blackman, who chairs the 1922 Committee - which will oversee the contest - said constant "backbiting" was part of the reason the Tories were kicked out by voters.

He said he will step in if it gets ugly - but would not be drawn on whether there is a "red card". He told reporters outside Parliament: "We're determined that this is going to be a good clean contest between the candidates that have been nominated."

He went on: "The constant backbiting and attacking colleagues both in public and in the media in the last Parliament was one of the contributories why the party did so badly in the last General Election. We're determined that we'll not tolerate that happening."

Pressed on what a yellow card would involve, he said: "If candidates indulge in it I'll get involved and if necessary issue a public statement." Mr Blackman said he hopes this will put them off.

Asked if there is a red card he said: "I think the fact is that if a yellow card is issued and a statement made that a candidate has infringed on the rules, that will be extremely detrimental on that candidate's chances and that should be enough."

Mr Blackman wouldn't be drawn on whether Suella Braverman had enough backers to go forward. She said on Sunday evening that she had enough support, but decided not to press forward with a leadership bid as there was "no point".

Mr Blackman confirmed that MPs will kick two of the six candidates out of the race when Parliament returns from summer recess, with a ballot on September 4. The four candidates to make it through the first elimination stage will be announced five days later, with a number of hustings events being held at the Tory Conference.

The final two candidates will be named on October 10, and the matter will be settled by an online ballot of members.

Rishi Sunak will remain Tory leader until his replacement is announced.