[Spoonman]

So with any candidate needing at least 100 party MPs to make the first cut at least, it looks like Sunak has formally got very close to the mark already (unofficially he appears to be passed the threshold), Alex is in second place but after the initial rush of backing when Truss threw in the towel, the public endorsements have slowed down and there's no guarantee he'll meet the 100 threshold - but he's far better odds to meet it than not.

Unlike Sunak or Johnson, Penny Mourdaunt has publicly declared her running interest, but just has 21 MPs so far.

Rishi Sunak leads PM race as Boris Johnson flies back to London

Rishi Sunak is close to reaching the 100 MP nominations needed to enter the race to be the next Conservative leader and prime minister.

The ex-chancellor has 93 endorsements from Tory MPs so far, though a campaign source said he had already reached 100.

Former leader Boris Johnson, second with 44 backers, is poised to enter the contest to succeed Liz Truss and is flying back from a Caribbean holiday.

Penny Mordaunt was the first to declare, counting 21 supporters so far...

..Sources from Mr Sunak's campaign told BBC News he had already reached the 100 nominations needed to make it onto the ballot paper.

Mr Sunak secured support from a number of senior colleagues, including former chancellor and health secretary Sajid Javid, Security Minister Tom Tugendhat and former health secretary Matt Hancock.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-63353097

Contenders have until 14:00 BST on Monday to find 100 backers. If three reach the threshold, Conservative MPs will knock out one contender in a ballot on the same day.

MPs will hold an "indicative" ballot of the final two, with the winner then decided in an online vote of party members, to finish next Friday.

[Bones McCoy]

The Fracking vote was "Support us or face suspension".

Now the clown in chief is "flying back" with no hint of suspension.

[Oboogie]

The Fracking vote was "Support us or face suspension".

Now the clown in chief is "flying back" with no hint of suspension.

Even Thick Lizzy has realised that the time to worry about shoring up her support and enforcing her will has passed.

[AOB]

MPs will hold an "indicative" ballot of the final two, with Johnson declared the winner following an online vote of 160,000 fucking idiot party members, next Friday.

Fixed.

[Malcolm Armsteen]

That's because they were wrong last time, and they are too stupid to be allowed to decide..

[Bones McCoy]

#NeverSunak and #JohnsonNeverAgain are both trending on twitter.

I think we can look forward to infighting for the remainder of this government.

[kreuzberger]

I have just explained to my German partner the reasons why I have been hitting F5 all weekend on Twitter and the Guardian live blog. She is alternating between a state of horror and fits of the giggles.

Then I explained what the new King could do if he fancied it...

[mattomac]

If Sunak wins it will be utterly bitter for weeks, an election is probably the likely thing, Labour have a dossier on all the candidates remember.

The Tories in their 3 month wank fest handed it to Labour, and I don’t want to see a bullshit underestimation article.

If it’s Johnson, I honestly don’t think the King would be able to keep a straight face if Truss goes to him and says yes this government that has just seen 50 resignations is deemed fit to govern.

[satnav]

If Johnson is struggling to muster 100 MPs to his cause then he has no chance of being an effective prime minister. What on earth is his cabinet going to look like. Jacob Rees-Mogg Secretary for Imperial Measures. Priti Patel Secretary of State for Bulling, Nadhim Zahawi Secretary of State for Tax Avoidance. Nadine Dorries Secretary of State For Fruit Cakes.

[kreuzberger]

Presumably, any supporters of the Fat Lass or the Brown Lad will be non grata.

That leaves one of those nasty Stoke or Mansfield thugs, or Lord Dacre for a gig at the Home Office.

In other developments, Starmer must be salivating.

[Youngian]

Johnson’s finished. Fandabby double dozy.

[Crabcakes]

The people I feel for are those who backed him wholeheartedly and parroted the line that he had well over 100 and had a mandate. And by ‘feel for’ I mean ‘am laughing at’.

[Andy McDandy]

Schadenfreude is a feeling...

[Malcolm Armsteen]

[Tubby Isaacs]

Does the "globalist stitch up" GB News bollocks go away now Johnson's definitely out?

[satnav]

Quite a few of the GBNews crowd are now saying they would rather have a general election rather than have Rishi as prime minister which just about sums up the attitude of the channel.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Totally normal news channel, and totally normal political commentary.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Bloke running in an election in "trying to get votes" shame.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Rishi Sunak is socialist apparently. Who was that PM he worked for again? The one who ran on spending a load more money in poorer parts of the country? That guy sounds a socialist too, you must be glad he's not on the scene any more. What happened to him?

[Malcolm Armsteen]