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2nd LD Writethru: Theresa May leads first round of voting in Tory leadership contest

Xinhua, July 6, 2016 Adjust font size:

British Home Secretary Theresa May won most votes in the first round of the Conservative leadership contest, while former Defense Secretary Liam Fox was eliminated from the race, according to results of Tuesday's voting by Conservative members of the Parliament.

Theresa May, who has been the frontrunner in the Tory leadership contest, received 165 votes, while Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom came second with 66 votes.

Justice Secretary Michael Gove won 48 votes and Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb secured 34. Liam Fox, coming last with 16 votes, was eliminated in the first round of voting.

Commenting on the votes, May said she was "pleased" with the result.

"There is a big job before us: to unite our party and the country, to negotiate the best possible deal as we leave the EU, and to make Britain work for everyone," said May, who had previously campaigned for Britain to remain in the European Union (EU).

"I am the only candidate capable of delivering these three things as Prime Minister, and tonight it is clear that I am also the only one capable of drawing support from the whole of the Conservative party," she added.

The leadership contest was triggered by Prime Minister David Cameron's decision to resign following his Remain campaign's defeat in the June 23 EU referendum.

A new Conservative leader is expected to be elected by party members in September this year. Endit