Andrea Leadsom has quit the race to become the next leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister.

In a surprise announcement shortly after noon on Monday, Leadsom said she would have been "deeply honoured" to lead her party but that she did not believe she could provide the "strong and unifying government" the country needed.

She also pledged her "full support" to rival Home Secretary Theresa May.

The 53-year-old energy minister had made it to the two-way run-off in the race to succeed David Cameron along with May.

She beat Michael Gove to second place in the second ballot of MPs on Thursday, securing the votes of 84 MPs to Gove's 46.

In a statement to supporters, Leadsom said: "I have been overwhelmed by the incredible messages of support and goodwill from so many people. Thank you so much for your kindness and offers of help.

"In standing for the leadership, it was always about doing what is in the best interests of our country.

"A nine-week campaign is clearly not in the interests of jobs, growth and certainty at this momentous time for the UK.

"Theresa May has the support of more than 60% of our parliamentary colleagues and will be able to provide the strong and unifying government that we urgently need.

She added: "I have therefore decided to withdraw from the leadership campaign, and have assured Theresa of my full support."

Her decision to quit comes after controversy over the weekend over remarks she made to the Times that being a mother gave her "a very real stake" in the country's future.

The comments were interpreted by many to mean she considered herself a better candidate for Prime Minister than rival Theresa May due to the fact that she had children while May did not.

Leadsom angrily accused the Times of taking her comments out of context, but also apologised to May by text.

A spokeswoman for May said: "Theresa was very grateful for the message and thanked Andrea for it."