MALDON's MP John Whittingdale has endorsed Michael Gove for leadership for the Conservative Party.

The Surrey Heath MP will head the five way race to become leader of the Conservatives and Prime Minister for the United Kingdom following David Cameron's announcement last week that he would step down by October following his defeat in the EU Referendum.

Mr Whittingdale, who had joined Mr Gove in campaigning for the UK to leave the European Union in the nationwide referendum, claimed he has a "powerful conservative voice".

He said: "I have long been an admirer of Michael Gove, who has been a consistantly powerful conservative voice and has shown that he is a man of principal and conviction.

"I believe that he is best able to unite the Conservative Party and the country and to ensure that we take full advantage of the new opportunities that are now open to us.”

Michael Gove will go up against Home Secretary Theresa May, MP Liam Fox, Minister Andrea Leadsom and Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb.