It will add to Mr Cleverly's hopes that he will survive the next round of voting by Conservative MPs today, following a survey at the weekend suggesting he is increasingly popular with party members.
James Cleverly received another boost on the eve of a crucial moment in the Tory leadership race as he was backed by a former rival.
Writing in the Telegraph, former Work and Pensions Secretary Mr Stride said: ‘I have sat around the Cabinet table with James and have seen him make the best of a succession of high-profile roles - Party Chairman, Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary. Former Work and Pensions Secretary Mr Stride ran himself for the leadership but was eliminated last month. He called Mr Cleverly the 'standout candidate' at the Conservative conference last week
Read More Tory candidates mount a final push to woo over MPs with another hopeful set to be ejected TOMORROW He went on: ‘We must pick a leader who can hit the ground running, take the fight to Labour and make sure that we are ready to win as soon as the opportunity presents itself.
News Labour Mel Stride James Cleverly Tom Tugendhat
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