Boris Johnson’s campaign to replace Theresa May has received a significant boost today with the backing of three rising Tory stars who declare him a “proven winner”.

A trio of ministers, two elected in 2015 and one in 2014 ? the moderates Rishi Sunak, Robert Jenrick and Oliver Dowden ? hail Mr Johnson as a One Nation Conservative whose values can “inspire the country and revitalise our party” while fending off Jeremy Corbyn and Nigel Farage. It means Mr Johnson has extended his lead in the contest with 40 public endorsements, 14 ahead of Michael Gove and Jeremy Hunt.

The decision is a blow to Mr Gove, whom both Mr Sunak, a communities minister who voted Leave, and Mr Jenrick, a Treasury minister who voted