Robert Jenrick in last-ditch battle to revive Tory leadership campaign as he and Kemi Badenoch battle to avoid elimination from TODAY following surge in support for James Cleverly

Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch were last night locked in a bitter battle to stay in the Tory leadership race after a late surge from James Cleverly.

Former security minister Tom Tugendhat was eliminated yesterday when Conservative MPs voted to narrow the field to three candidates.

And just one vote separated Ms Badenoch and Mr Jenrick before today’s crucial vote, leaving two contenders.

Cleverly topped the poll after impressing activists at last week’s Conservative Party conference in Birmingham.

The former home secretary’s votes almost doubled from 21 to 39 – one short of the total needed to secure a place in the final two.

Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick are locked in a battle to stay in the Conservative leadership race, with another elimination set for today

In Tuesday’s vote there was only one vote between Ms Badenoch and Mr Jenrick

Frontrunner James Cleverly topped the poll and almost doubled his support from 21 to 39 MPs

Mr Cleverly was this afternoon the main beneficiary of a third round of voting by Tory MPs announced by 1922 committee chairman Bob Blackman

Tory insiders have predicted he will pick up the majority of Tugendhat’s 20 supporters when MPs vote again this afternoon.

Mr Cleverly – who attended the launch of Boris Johnson’s book Unleashed in London last night with his wife Susannah – paid tribute to his “good friend” Mr Jenrick, saying he would have “a big role to play in the future of our side’.

But allies rejected the claim that Cleverly could now back him to avoid a confrontation with Ms Badenoch, who polls show is popular among Tory activists.

One said: “We are clear: MPs should vote for the candidate they want to win, and we think that should be James. That’s what we say to the parliamentarians. Absolutely no games.”

Opinion polls show the Conservative party preferring Ms Badenoch to Mr Jenrick and Mr Cleverly, but the gap has narrowed since the Tory conference.

Ms Badenoch’s vote count rose by two to 30, while Mr Jenrick lost two votes, falling to 31. Despite the loss of momentum, Mr Jenrick’s campaign continued to insist he was in a ‘prime position’ to win the final to get two.

The former immigration secretary has taken a tough stance on immigration, with a pledge to leave the European Convention on Human Rights – a move opposed by some Tory moderates. But a campaign spokesman said he had support from other moderates such as former Health Minister Victoria Atkins and MPs from the right.

One of Mr Jenrick’s MP supporters hit out at Ms Badenoch, saying: ‘MPs have a choice between a serious and competent leader or, on a weekly basis, having to defend attacks on Doctor Who, and foolish ideas such as cutting maternity benefits, the end of free NHS care and how the minimum wage is too high.’

In a boost for Mr Jenrick, Nick Timothy, Theresa May’s former chief of staff, came out to show his support last night.

Leadership candidate Tom Tugendhat was the last to be eliminated in Tuesday’s vote

Jenrick’s campaign received a boost after he received the backing of Theresa May’s former chief of staff Nick Timothy

After backing Mr Tugendhat until he was eliminated yesterday, Mr Timothy said the only remaining candidate who gave “an unflinching analysis of why we lost and what we need to do now” was Mr Jenrick.

However, Ms Badenoch’s supporters said declining support for Jenrick among MPs showed he could not win. A campaign spokesman said: ‘There are three candidates left in this contest, two gaining votes and one declining.

“The right of the party must unite around Kemi, who has the qualities to penetrate the opposition and is undisputedly the members’ choice as leader.”

After today’s vote, Tory party members will vote on the final two candidates, with the results announced on November 2.