A Kent MP has revealed his shock at Boris Johnson's decision to pull out of the battle to become Prime Minister.

Within 48 hours of declaring his support for the former PM, Sittingbourne and Sheppey's MP Gordon Henderson was left stunned to hear he wouldn't be putting his name forward.

On Friday night Mr Henderson met with members of his constituency's Conservative Association Executive Committee to discuss the leadership contest with them.

He informed them of his decision to back Mr Johnson and said it was something they were "largely supportive" of.

After submitting his nomination for the Tory leader hopeful on Saturday, just over 24 hours later, at around 8.45pm, he was told Mr Johnson was withdrawing from the race.

The Sittingbourne and Sheppey Tory explained: "On Sunday evening I took part in a Zoom meeting at which Boris explained that although he was confident of success should his name be on the ballot paper for Conservative Party members to decide their leader, he recognised that there would be a majority of Tory MPs who would not support his leadership.

"So, to maintain party unity, he had decided to withdraw from the race.

"I was disappointed at Boris’s decision, because I believe he has tremendous talents, despite his undoubted faults and weaknesses. However, I respected his decision and the magnanimity with which it was taken.

"Like Boris, I too recognise that the time has come for Conservative MPs to set aside their differences and rally round whoever now becomes our Leader. Therefore, I will give my support to Rishi Sunak.

"And to those cynics who continue to claim that I only offer support to whoever will help my career, I would point out that I have always made clear that I am not interested in a government job.

"I have spent the past 12 years as MP concentrating on representing my constituency and that is what I will continue to do."

Mr Henderson joins many other Kent MPs who are backing Rishi Sunak after Liz Truss resigned last week.

A new Prime Minister is expected to be announced by Friday.