Gove pledges to meet Brexit mandate but already faces calls to quit Tory race

Controversial Conservative Party leadership contender Michael Gove said his late decision to enter the contest had been driven by his conviction that he could deliver on the vote to leave the European Union.

However, even as he spoke in public for the first time since turning on bookmakers' favourite Boris Johnson, there were calls for him to stand aside in favour of Home Secretary Theresa May in an effort to unify the fracturing party after last week's vote by the UK to leave the European Union.

“I did not want it, indeed I did almost everything not be a candidate for the leadership of this party. I was so very reluctant because I know my limitations. Whatever charisma is, I don’t have it, whatever glamour may be, I don’t think anyone could ever associate me with it," Gove said in a speech to supporters.

Nevertheless, Gove said his "heart" had told him that Johnson was unsuitable for the role of prime minister and that he "had to stand up for a different course for this country".

Leading Conservative Party figure and former Cabinet minister Ken Clarke said Gove should to withdraw from the race, accusing him of student union-style politics.

Events of the past two days have shaken Westminster to its foundations. Having openly stated during the referendum campaign that he had no desire to be prime minister and pledging allegiance to fellow Brexiteer Johnson, Gove entered just before nominations closed. Johnson, realising he had been outmanoeuvred on this occasion, withdrew a short time later.

Supporters of Johnson accused Gove of treachery and quickly aligned themselves with May, who gave an assured performance at her launch on Thursday. Her chances were boosted on Friday after the pro-Tory, pro-Brexit Daily Mail tabloid newspaper endorsed her, as did two Cabinet Ministers, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon and Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin.

Speaking to the BBC, Clarke also raised the issue of loyalty, saying: "I do think one of the first priorities for a leader of a party and certainly a prime minister is that you should have the trust, as far as possible, of your colleagues. This kind of public performance is more suitable for the student union than it is to be prime minister of this country at a time of grave, grave potential crisis."

Clarke said Gove “would all do us a favour if he stood down now and speed up the process", although he did not endorse any of the other candidates. The contest was triggered by Prime Minister David Cameron's resignation after he failed to convince voters to remain within the EU in a referendum where 52% voted for "Brexit".

Under rules laid down by the party this week a new leader must be elected by September 9 just before the Conservative annual conference.

Noting that May was on the "remain" side of the referendum, Gove said the country needed someone at the helm "who argued for and believes in the mandate of the British people".

The other candidates are former Defence Secretary Liam Fox, Energy and Climate Change minister Andrea Leadsom, and Work & Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb.