Robert Jenrick, James Cleverly and Kemi Badenoch (Image: Getty)
Centrist Tory members are threatening to "throw their ballot papers in the bin" after James Cleverly's shock elimination from the leadership contest.
The shadow home secretary, widely seen as the most moderate candidate, was knocked out of the race to succeed Rishi Sunak in the last ballot of MPs.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Nick Ferrari warns Tories risk 'drifting into political irrelevance' with major shift
17 Comments
Boris Johnson 'lurking in shadows' as Tories fear another leadership contest in 18 months
41 Comments
Nigel Farage predicts Tory 'establishment' will try anything to stop one candidate winning
166 Comments
Nigel Farage gives verdict on Tory leader as he sets out 'real reason' for shock result
163 Comments
Why Nigel Farage could be rubbing hands with glee despite James Clevery lossing Tory race
68 Comments
Alastair Campbell issues smug 4-word verdict after James Cleverly's shock elimination
570 Comments
Robert Jenrick launches new attacks on Kemi Badenoch - but it risks Tory split
212 Comments
Tory tantrums over James Cleverly's leadership fail should teach party one lesson
133 Comments
Kemi Badenoch issues eight-word warning to Robert Jenrick as Tory leadership race hots up
117 Comments
Tom Tugendhat loses latest round of Tory leadership contest
453 Comments
Tories rewrite party rules to make it more difficult for MPs to axe new leader
51 Comments
Tory leadership poll shock as Robert Jenrick set to be beaten by rival
232 Comments
Keir Starmer's first 100 days have been appalling - but Tories could still LOSE in 2029
164 Comments
Last minute surge in support puts Kemi Badenoch on Tory leadership ballot paper
823 Comments
Top pollster John Curtice gives gloomy verdict on Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick
234 Comments
Insider reveals true reason why James Cleverly lost Tory leadership contest
27 Comments
James Cleverly breaks silence on his shock elimination in Tory leadership race
89 Comments
James Cleverly wins major endorsement ahead of crucial Tory leadership vote
72 Comments
Bookies have worked out winner of Tory leadership contest - it'll come as a huge surprise
62 Comments
I was in the room for the Tory leadership elimination - and everyone said the same thing
185 Comments
Nick Ferrari warns Tories risk 'drifting into political irrelevance' with major shift
17 Comments
Boris Johnson 'lurking in shadows' as Tories fear another leadership contest in 18 months
41 Comments
Nigel Farage predicts Tory 'establishment' will try anything to stop one candidate winning
166 Comments
Nigel Farage gives verdict on Tory leader as he sets out 'real reason' for shock result
163 Comments
Why Nigel Farage could be rubbing hands with glee despite James Clevery lossing Tory race
68 Comments
Alastair Campbell issues smug 4-word verdict after James Cleverly's shock elimination
570 Comments
Robert Jenrick launches new attacks on Kemi Badenoch - but it risks Tory split
212 Comments
Tory tantrums over James Cleverly's leadership fail should teach party one lesson
133 Comments
Kemi Badenoch issues eight-word warning to Robert Jenrick as Tory leadership race hots up
117 Comments
Tom Tugendhat loses latest round of Tory leadership contest
453 Comments
Tories rewrite party rules to make it more difficult for MPs to axe new leader
51 Comments
Tory leadership poll shock as Robert Jenrick set to be beaten by rival
232 Comments
Keir Starmer's first 100 days have been appalling - but Tories could still LOSE in 2029
164 Comments
Last minute surge in support puts Kemi Badenoch on Tory leadership ballot paper
823 Comments
Top pollster John Curtice gives gloomy verdict on Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick
234 Comments
Insider reveals true reason why James Cleverly lost Tory leadership contest
27 Comments
James Cleverly breaks silence on his shock elimination in Tory leadership race
89 Comments
James Cleverly wins major endorsement ahead of crucial Tory leadership vote
72 Comments
Bookies have worked out winner of Tory leadership contest - it'll come as a huge surprise
62 Comments
I was in the room for the Tory leadership elimination - and everyone said the same thing
185 Comments
Nick Ferrari warns Tories risk 'drifting into political irrelevance' with major shift
17 Comments
Boris Johnson 'lurking in shadows' as Tories fear another leadership contest in 18 months
41 Comments
Nigel Farage predicts Tory 'establishment' will try anything to stop one candidate winning
166 Comments
Nigel Farage gives verdict on Tory leader as he sets out 'real reason' for shock result
163 Comments
Why Nigel Farage could be rubbing hands with glee despite James Clevery lossing Tory race
68 Comments
Alastair Campbell issues smug 4-word verdict after James Cleverly's shock elimination
570 Comments
Robert Jenrick launches new attacks on Kemi Badenoch - but it risks Tory split
212 Comments
Right-wing hopefuls Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick have made it through to the final two voted on by members.
An MP supporter of Mr Cleverly told the Telegraph: “There is a huge amount of disappointment in the membership at the result of the final ballot.
“This morning I have already had a dozen members telling me they will throw their ballot papers in the bin because they are being denied their say.”
Don't miss... Nigel Farage gives verdict on Tory leadership race after shock result [LATEST]
The MP said many members were angry that Mr Cleverly had not been chosen by MPs for the final two after his speech went down best among activists at Tory conference.
They added: “Not only did James have a good conference, what perhaps is more important is that the others did not.
“When the party is trying to attract young people and women to vote for the party again, it seems suicidal to denigrate maternity pay, as Kemi did.
“When the party stands for the rule of law, why talk about special forces carrying out extra-judicial killings, as Robert did?
“They both had bad conferences and showed they were not steady under fire.”
Trending
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
It comes as the Tory Reform Group, which represents One Nation Conservatives, refused to endorse either of the final two candidates.
In a statement, the group said: “TRG members were consulted throughout the process, and the results clearly show that neither candidate has secured widespread support from the majority of our membership.
“Both have used rhetoric and focused on issues, which are far and away from the party at its best, let alone the One Nation values we cherish and uphold.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Nick Ferrari warns Tories risk 'drifting into political irrelevance' with major shift
17 Comments
Boris Johnson 'lurking in shadows' as Tories fear another leadership contest in 18 months
41 Comments
Nigel Farage predicts Tory 'establishment' will try anything to stop one candidate winning
166 Comments
Nigel Farage gives verdict on Tory leader as he sets out 'real reason' for shock result
163 Comments
Why Nigel Farage could be rubbing hands with glee despite James Clevery lossing Tory race
68 Comments
Alastair Campbell issues smug 4-word verdict after James Cleverly's shock elimination
570 Comments
Robert Jenrick launches new attacks on Kemi Badenoch - but it risks Tory split
212 Comments
Tory tantrums over James Cleverly's leadership fail should teach party one lesson
133 Comments
Kemi Badenoch issues eight-word warning to Robert Jenrick as Tory leadership race hots up
117 Comments
Tom Tugendhat loses latest round of Tory leadership contest
453 Comments
Tories rewrite party rules to make it more difficult for MPs to axe new leader
51 Comments
Tory leadership poll shock as Robert Jenrick set to be beaten by rival
232 Comments
Keir Starmer's first 100 days have been appalling - but Tories could still LOSE in 2029
164 Comments
Last minute surge in support puts Kemi Badenoch on Tory leadership ballot paper
823 Comments
Top pollster John Curtice gives gloomy verdict on Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick
234 Comments
Insider reveals true reason why James Cleverly lost Tory leadership contest
27 Comments
James Cleverly breaks silence on his shock elimination in Tory leadership race
89 Comments
James Cleverly wins major endorsement ahead of crucial Tory leadership vote
72 Comments
Bookies have worked out winner of Tory leadership contest - it'll come as a huge surprise
62 Comments
I was in the room for the Tory leadership elimination - and everyone said the same thing
185 Comments
Nick Ferrari warns Tories risk 'drifting into political irrelevance' with major shift
17 Comments
Boris Johnson 'lurking in shadows' as Tories fear another leadership contest in 18 months
41 Comments
Nigel Farage predicts Tory 'establishment' will try anything to stop one candidate winning
166 Comments
Nigel Farage gives verdict on Tory leader as he sets out 'real reason' for shock result
163 Comments
Why Nigel Farage could be rubbing hands with glee despite James Clevery lossing Tory race
68 Comments
Alastair Campbell issues smug 4-word verdict after James Cleverly's shock elimination
570 Comments
Robert Jenrick launches new attacks on Kemi Badenoch - but it risks Tory split
212 Comments
Tory tantrums over James Cleverly's leadership fail should teach party one lesson
133 Comments
Kemi Badenoch issues eight-word warning to Robert Jenrick as Tory leadership race hots up
117 Comments
Tom Tugendhat loses latest round of Tory leadership contest
453 Comments
Tories rewrite party rules to make it more difficult for MPs to axe new leader
51 Comments
Tory leadership poll shock as Robert Jenrick set to be beaten by rival
232 Comments
Keir Starmer's first 100 days have been appalling - but Tories could still LOSE in 2029
164 Comments
Last minute surge in support puts Kemi Badenoch on Tory leadership ballot paper
823 Comments
Top pollster John Curtice gives gloomy verdict on Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick
234 Comments
Insider reveals true reason why James Cleverly lost Tory leadership contest
27 Comments
James Cleverly breaks silence on his shock elimination in Tory leadership race
89 Comments
James Cleverly wins major endorsement ahead of crucial Tory leadership vote
72 Comments
Bookies have worked out winner of Tory leadership contest - it'll come as a huge surprise
62 Comments
I was in the room for the Tory leadership elimination - and everyone said the same thing
185 Comments
Nick Ferrari warns Tories risk 'drifting into political irrelevance' with major shift
17 Comments
Boris Johnson 'lurking in shadows' as Tories fear another leadership contest in 18 months
41 Comments
Nigel Farage predicts Tory 'establishment' will try anything to stop one candidate winning
166 Comments
Nigel Farage gives verdict on Tory leader as he sets out 'real reason' for shock result
163 Comments
Why Nigel Farage could be rubbing hands with glee despite James Clevery lossing Tory race
68 Comments
Alastair Campbell issues smug 4-word verdict after James Cleverly's shock elimination
570 Comments
Robert Jenrick launches new attacks on Kemi Badenoch - but it risks Tory split
212 Comments
"Therefore, the board of the TRG has unanimously concluded that we are unable to endorse either candidate.”
A blame game erupted after Mr Cleverly was unexpectedly knocked out of the competition on Wednesday.
His allies denied his supporters had been involved vote lending in a failed bid to engineer a place for himself and a less-threatening rival in the final heat.