Brexit backer Michael Gove to stand in race to replace PM David Cameron

Britain's Justice Secretary Michael Gove will stand as a candidate to replace David Cameron as leader of the Conservative Party and so become the U.K.'s next prime minister, media reports said Thursday. Gove was previously seen as a potential running mate for fellow Brexit supporter Boris Johnson, the former London mayor seen as a strong candidate to succeed Cameron. "I wanted to help build a team behind Boris Johnson so that a politician who argued for leaving the European Union could lead us to a better future. But I have come, reluctantly, to the conclusion that Boris cannot provide the leadership or build the team for the task ahead," Gove said in a statement declaring his candidacy, media reports said. Cameron announced he will step down after the U.K. voted to leave the European Union in a referendum last week. The move by Gove is seen as potentially splitting the backing that otherwise would have gone to Johnson. Other Conservative Party politicians to declare they are standing to replace Cameron so far are Home Secretary Theresa May, Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb and Defence Secretary Liam Fox.

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