TWO East Lancashire MPs who had pledged their support for Boris Johnson were left to transfer their allegiance to another candidate after he announced that he would not join the leadership race.

Nigel Evans and Jake Berry were both supporters of the former London mayor.

MORE TOP STORIES:

But Mr Berry, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, refused to reveal who would he would now favour in the first round of voting on Tuesday.

He took to social media, however, to criticise his Conservative colleague Michael Gove after his announcement that he would run for the leadership forced Boris Johnson out of the race.

Mr Berry tweeted: “There is a very deep pit reserved in Hell for such as he #Gove”

He said only that his decision would be based on which candidate he felt best supported his vision for the area.

Mr Berry said: “I thought Boris was the right man to bring our country together after what has been a very difficult referendum campaign –- even though we were on opposite sides. I think there are very few who can match him in politics.

“I’m very sorry he’s decided not to stand; he’s been a good friend of mine. Who knows who will win, but we have an excellent field of candidates.

“I’ll support the person who will support us in building a stronger and more prosperous Rossendale and Darwen.”

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson was also surprised by Mr Johnson’s withdrawal. He said: “I think everyone in Westminster was surprised –- there was a degree of shock. Even those backing his bid were unaware; it leaves the leadership election wide open.

“I haven’t decided who I’m backing but we need someone who can unite the party and the country. That was one of the reasons why I wasn’t backing Boris.

“At the moment I’m leaning towards one candidate but I’m speaking to Joe Cooney and lots of senior activists in the area and taking those views on board before I decide. This is a fast-moving situation with many more twists and turns than most soap operas.

“I wouldn’t say I was pleased to see Boris go; shocked and surprised. I wasn’t supporting him but he’s a tremendous talent and I hope he remains heavily involved and is given a formal role in the government. He’s a very gifted politician but I don’t think he was right to unite the party and the country after the referendum campaign.”

Shortly before Mr Johnson announced he would not be joining the leadership race, Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said: “Westminster makes House of Cards look like the Teletubbies at the moment. If Michael Dobbs had written what is going on here, people would have said it was too far fetched.”