Transport secretary Grant Shapps has withdrawn from the Tory leadership race, just days after announcing his candidacy.
He is instead supporting former chancellor Rishi Sunak to succeed Boris Johnson as prime minister.
Shapps, whose bid to become Conservative Party leader was criticised by many in the travel trade, tweeted: “Huge thanks to my team for helping to pull together my leadership bid in literally no time!
“Amongst a field of brilliant candidates, I’ve spoken to Rishi Sunak who I believe has the competence and experience to lead this country.”
Huge thanks to my team for helping to pull together my leadership bid in literally no time! Amongst a field of brilliant candidates I’ve spoken to @RishiSunak who I believe has the competence and experience to lead this country.
— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) July 12, 2022
Meanwhile, the co-founders of Travel Agent Reform Group Engaged Together (Target) have written to Abta, asking the association to contact all of the leadership candidates with questions about how they would support the travel industry
Jill Waite (Pole Travel) said: “The lack of support from the government over the last two and a half years has been horrendous. We need each of the candidates to set out their policies for the travel industry.
Graeme Brett (Westoe Travel) added: “We are also asking everyone in the travel industry to take every opportunity to challenge the candidates in the leadership election.
“If there is a radio or television interview with any of the candidates, please send in your questions to the candidates about how they will support the travel industry.
“If a candidate cannot promise their support for travel before the leadership election, then there is no chance of them doing so once they become prime minister.”