PM hopeful Theresa May insists she'll secure 'best' Brexit deal... despite backing REMAIN
TORY leadership hopeful Theresa May claims she can secure the "best possible" Brexit deal – even though she wanted Britain to stay in the EU.
Tory front-runner Theresa May backed the campaign to stay in the EU
The Home Secretary has emerged as the front-runner to succeed David Cameron as Prime Minister, despite having backed the Remain camp.
She said she is the "only candidate" capable of securing a good deal with Brussels, as well as uniting the country and her party.
The claim is likely to anger rivals Michael Gove and Andrea Leadsom, who tirelessly campaigned for Britain to quit the bloc.
Mrs May appears to be on course for Downing Street after winning 165 votes from MPs in the first round of the contest.
But Mrs Leadsom's strong showing in second place with 66 votes paves the way for an all-woman run-off on September 9.
Disgraced ex-Cabinet minister Liam Fox and Stephen Crabb, the Work and Pensions Secretary, were forced to pull out last night.
The Home Secretary faces competition from Brexiteer Andrea Leadsom
I intend to work closely with her, to campaign for her
Dr Fox, an outspoken Eurosceptic, is backing Mrs May despite her decision to campaign for a Remain vote in last month's referendum.
He said: "It is essential the winning candidate has an understanding at the top levels of government and of international affairs.
"I intend to work closely with her, to campaign for her, and I'm sure she will be a very fine prime minister of this country."
May was branded a 'bloody difficult woman' by Ken Clarke yesterday
Mrs May has also faced criticism over her refusal to give firm assurances EU nationals would be allowed to remain in the UK.
And she was accused by ex-Cabinet colleague Ken Clarke of being a "bloody difficult woman" with little knowledge of foreign policy.
In comments made on Sky News, Mr Clarke also claimed Mr Gove would "go to war with at least three countries" if he was elected.
David Cameron was forced to resign after last month's Brexit vote
Tory leadership: Theresa May tops first vote, Liam Fox out
Mrs May released her tax returns last night, meaning Mrs Leadsom is the only candidate who has not made hers public.
Mrs May's statement from the private bank Coutts showed the Home Secretary paid £40,023 in income tax in 2014/15.
And Michael Gove paid nearly £70,000 tax in the two years up to April 2015, according to documents released last week.