The Health and Social Care Secretary, supported by 20 Tory MPs in the first round, yesterday announced his decision. Hinting at his readiness to back a more experienced candidate, the 40-year-old MP said the Tory party was not ready to be led by a "fresh face". Friends said Mr Hancock will hold talks with the remaining candidates this weekend but was leaning towards one of the two most experienced Brexiteers. Related articles Rory Stewart broke key Westminster 'rule' ahead of first round Johnson vs Gove: Matt Hancock in talks as he decides who to support As a country we need to deliver Brexit so we can move forward Matt Hancock He is expected to declare his preference shortly before the second round next Tuesday. After pulling out of the contest, Mr Hancock said: "I ran as the candidate of the future, but the party is understandably looking for a candidate for the unique circumstances we face right now. "I have therefore decided to withdraw from this contest, and I will look for the best way to advance the values we fought for - of free enterprise, and an open, aspirational, free society, underpinned by an optimistic belief in the value of each individual person. "I will talk to all the other candidates about how these values can best taken forward." Mr Hancock said he was "hugely grateful" for the support he had received throughout the campaign and that he was "proud of the way we managed to set the agenda". Hinting at a post-Brexit future run for the leadership, he said: "Clearly one of the challenges I faced was that we face very usual circumstances right now. Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock (Image: Leon Neal/Getty Images) Home Secretary Sajid Javid (Image: Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images) "As a country we need to deliver Brexit so we can move forward. "That obviously had an impact on my ability to get the campaign focused all about the future." A source close to the Cabinet minister said he was likely to back either frontrunner Mr Johnson or Mr Gove, both Leave campaigners committed to delivering Brexit as soon as possible. Mr Hancock was understood to have taken his decision after failing to knock out Rory Stewart. The International Development Secretary scraped into the second round with 19 votes, two ahead of the required threshold. Mr Hancock's team decided the two younger generation candidates were fighting for similar supporters and could not both stay in the race. Home Secretary Sajid Javid, continuing in the race after getting 23 votes, described Mr Hancock as "my friend" and hailed his campaign as "brilliant".All rights reserved for this news site express.co.uk and under his responsibility