No coronation for Conservative leadership, says Theresa May

Theresa May insisted she does not want a “coronation” as Conservative leader after emerging as overwhelming frontrunner in the race to succeed David Cameron.

The UK home secretary is in pole position after getting the votes of half the Tory party’s MPs (165) in the first round of the contest on Tuesday, and securing the backing of two rivals.

She is expected to be confirmed today as one of the two contenders chosen by MPs to go forward in a vote of around 150,000 Conservative members to elect a new leader, and prime minister, on September 9.