Tory leadership race intensifies as prominent Leave campaigners move to block Theresa May

The race for the Tory leadership intensified as two prominent Leave campaigners moved to block home secretary Theresa May’s path to Downing St.

Energy minister Andrea Leadsom insisted she would give Britain its freedom back, as former defence secretary Liam Fox declared leaving the single market was a price worth paying for immigration control.

Ms Leadsom urged those who backed Remain not to be “afraid” of the future as the minister insisted she was best placed to lead tough EU exit negotiations because she — unlike Remain campaigner Ms May — believed Britain was best off free from the grip of Brussels.