MORE of Hampshire's Conservative MPs have revealed who they will be backing in the tussle for the party leadership.

The five-horse race for the party leadership - and Prime Ministership - has intensified with party MPs set to vote on which two will go through to the final contest.

Winchester MP Steve Brine has declared for Home Secretary Theresa May.

Ms May, who is also backed by Hampshire MPs Caroline Nokes, Mims Davies, George Hollingbery and Caroline Dinenage, currently leads the way in terms of support among MPs.

Suella Fernandes (Fareham) and Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) are both backing Justice Secretary Michael Gove, while Julian Lewis (New Forest East) has thrown his weight behind Andrea Leadsom.

The race was sparked by David Cameron's resignation in the wake of the EU referendum, in which the UK voted to leave the EU.

Energy minister and prominent Brexit supporter Mrs Leadsom is in second place, with Michael Gove, Stephen Crabb and Liam Fox the other candidates.

Dr Lewis was among the first MPs to back Mrs Leadsom, and said that she was "something special" who "has the potential to be a really great political leader".

Saying he initially wanted a leadership team of Mr Johnson, Mr Gove and Mrs Leadsom, he said she had four qualities he admired - "poise, versatility, expertise in the economic and fiscal field and political courage".

Mr Gove declared that he was standing earlier in the week, with his announcement coming hours before former ally Mr Johnson's shock decision to stand down from the race.

Ms Fernandes, who had previously Tweeted support for Mr Johnson, said Mr Gove can "unite the country as he embodies compassionate conservatism", saying: "whether it is improving education (which inspired me to set up a free school of which he has been especially supportive) or bringing about radical and much-needed reform in our prisons system, giving prisoners a second chance and opportunity to make a better life for themselves, reform not seen since Victorian times."

Ms Nokes has declared her support for Ms May, saying she "watched carefully" and spoke to constituents as the five hopefuls announced their candidacies.

She said: "I believe she has been an outstanding Home Secretary who has worked tirelessly to ensure the UK has remained a safe place to live.

"She has consistently maintained a mature approach to political life and is widely respected because of it."

The first round of voting among Tory MPs to decide which two candidates go to the membership in the leadership run-off begins today.