Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely has backed Penny Mordaunt to replace Liz Truss as UK Prime Minister.
Mr Seely said the Portsmouth North MP, who he also called to takeover from Boris Johnson when he resigned, is "the best person" for the role.
Speaking to Sky News, he said she has the "greater resonance" among constituents.
Mr Seely initially threw his support behind Ms Mordaunt in the days after Mr Johnson left his post, before she was knocked out. He then turned his attention to backing Liz Truss.
Asked by Sky's Sam Coates whether he would support the return of Boris Johnson, he said:
"Good luck to Boris. I don't want to go back to where we were a few months ago.
"I want us to go forward under Penny. I would respect the choice that we collectively make."
After speaking to national media, Mr Seely then sent a statement to local media.
In it, he said:
"I’m sorry to see the Prime Minister go. She has done the honourable thing and acted in the national interest.
"I supported Penny Mordaunt in the summer, and I’ll support her in the coming election now, should she choose to stand. Penny is a Portsmouth MP and knows the Solent area, and indeed the Island, well. I hope Penny will win, but whoever wins, the Conservative Party must pull together for the sake of the country.
"I remain entirely focused on the Island. While the Prime Minister was making her resignation statement, I was speaking in the House of Commons to ensure Government agree minimum service levels to be applied to our cross-Solent ferries in upcoming legislation."
Sky News (C).
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