HOME Secretary and Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid has become the ninth MP to enter the Conservative leadership race after Theresa May announced her plan to resign last week.
Mr Javid, who has held a range of ministerial posts since his election in 2010, said there was a need to "restore trust, bring unity and create new opportunities across the UK".
The 49-year-old, who backed Remain in the referendum but has since positioned himself as a firm Leaver, said: "First and foremost, we must deliver Brexit."
Mr Javid became the first home secretary from an ethnic minority background when he was appointed in April 2018.
The son of a Pakistani bus driver from Rochdale, he was a managing director at Deutsche Bank before being elected to Parliament.
Announcing his intention to stand in a message on Twitter, Mr Javid said: "I'm standing to be the next leader of @Conservatives & Prime Minister of our great country.
"We need to restore trust, bring unity and create new opportunities across the UK.
"First and foremost, we must deliver Brexit. Join @TeamSaj to help me do just that #TeamSaj."
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