By Jack Maidment, Deputy Political Editor For Mailonline
Published: 10:32 BST, 20 June 2019 | Updated: 12:06 BST, 20 June 2019
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Rory Stewart has organised a loser's rally to say thank you to his supporters as he refused to formally endorse any of the remaining candidates in the Tory leadership race.
The International Development Secretary was eliminated from the battle for Downing Street yesterday after his campaign went backwards and he dropped from 37 votes to 27.
Mr Stewart and his supporters could now act as a king-maker for either Jeremy Hunt or Michael Gove as they fight for second place and the right to face Boris Johnson in the final two.
But he dealt a blow to both of their campaigns today as he said he would not be publicly backing anyone in the race to takeover from Theresa May.
However, he said he will be voting for one of the candidates in the privacy of the secret ballot.
He said: 'I will not be declaring for anyone today - but I will be voting.'
Mr Hunt secured 54 votes in the third round of voting while Mr Gove was close behind on 51 and both will have pinned their hopes of success on winning over the backers of Mr Stewart.
The International Development Secretary had started the Tory leadership contest as a rank outsider but defied the odds to make it to the final five. He crashed out of the race yesterday
Mr Stewart has organised a thank you rally for his supporters. He has refused to say who he will now be backing in the final two rounds of voting
Mr Stewart has organised a rally on London's Southbank this evening at the same venue as where he launched his campaign to say thank you to his supporters.
Announcing the plan in a video published on his Twitter account, Mr Stewart appeared to poke fun at himself as he walked towards the camera and clumsily removed his tie.
Allies of Boris Johnson were today accused of trying to manipulate the Tory leadership contest to make sure the former foreign secretary does not have to face Michael Gove in the final two.
Mr Johnson's supporters were accused of trying an 'Oxford Union knifing' amid claims dirty tricks were being used to oust Mr Gove.
It has been alleged that outriders for Mr Johnson are plotting to lend votes to Sajid Javid, currently in fourth place, to help him overtake Mr Gove and push the Environment Secretary into last.
Many of Mr Johnson's closest acolytes have never forgiven Mr Gove for betraying him in the 2016 Tory leadership contest when he pulled his support at the last minute to launch his own failed bid to take over from David Cameron.
The former leadership challenger was mocked online after he took off his tie midway through a TV debate on