Latest politics betting news after Boris Johnson tops first Tory leadership poll

Boris Johnson is in pole position to be the next Prime Minister after a decisive victory in the first ballot of the next Conservative leader contest.

Johnson topped the poll with 114 votes and the odds on him replacing Theresa May soon tumbled from 1-2 to 1-4.

The Uxbridge MP's strong performance looks great news for one Star Sports punter, who wagered £45,000 at 4-9 that he wins the race. Johnson had been a 4-6 chance on Wednesday before a surge of support.

Jeremy Hunt finished second on 43 votes and is the clear second favourite at 10-1.

The field was reduced from ten contenders to seven after Andrea Leadsom, who had been the 11-1 third favourite, and outsiders Mark Harper and Esther McVey failed to secure enough votes to remain in the contest.

Michael Gove and Dominic Raab finished third and fourth with tallies of 37 and 27 but they are weak in the betting at 20-1 and 50-1.

Attention now switches to next Tuesday's second ballot and further ballots scheduled to take place next Wednesday and Thursday as MPs conclude the process of selecting two candidates to go forward to a vote among the party members.

The overall winner is expected to be announced in the week beginning July 22.

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