HEREFORD MP Jesse Norman has decided against standing to become the next leader of the Conservative Party.

Around 600 of Mr Norman's constituents got in touch with him after he said he would be consulting them.

But today he has confirmed he has decided against standing for his party's leadership to replace Theresa May.

Mr Norman tweeted: "I have decided against standing for the Tory leadership. But consulting widely on whether to throw my Stetson in the ring has been fascinating.

"I had some unexpected and wonderful public endorsements, including from David Brooks and Rory Sutherland, legends both.

"But I also got 600 or so emails, calls and texts from constituents. Two of them encouraged me to engage in novel arts of physical contortionism. Virtually every other one urged me for or against standing, with passion and concern for our country and the state of politics."