RORY Stewart was eliminated from the race to become Tory leader and Prime Minister as front-runner Boris Johnson strengthened his position.

Shortly after the result of the third secret ballot was announced last night there were claims the Johnson camp had organised a campaign to block the International Development Secretary’s progress.

Stewart had been the most vigorous of the candidates in taking the former foreign secretary to task including over his claims to leave the EU “deal or no deal” on October 31.

“Stewart backer tells me they are ‘very angry’ and says this was a organised campaign (by Team Johnson) to block him. “Mendacious”” tweeted one Westminster journalist.

The Penrith MP started as a rank outsider in the race, but gained support on the back of an unusual campaign strategy, touring the country for pop-up meetings.

After the result he posted on Twitter: “I am so moved & inspired by the support I have received over the last few weeks – it has given me a new faith in politics, a new belief in our country.

“I didn’t get enough MPs to believe today – but they will.

“I remain deeply committed to you and to this country. #RoryWalksOn.”

He told the BBC he was “disappointed” by his exit and his party “didn’t seem ready to hear his message” that they should be positioning themselves on the centre ground.

He defended his attacks on Johnson, said it was right to point out that the frontrunner risked “letting down” his supporters over Brexit.

Stewart, who has ruled out serving under Johnson because of their differences over Brexit, added “I appear to have written my cabinet resignation letter.”

Scottish Tory MSP Adam Tomkins expressed disappointment and called Stewart the “star of the contest”.

He tweeted: “Thank you, Rory, for enlivening this leadership election and for bringing such energy and honesty to it.

“You’ve been the star of the contest.”

Paul Masterton, the Tory MP for East Renfrewshire, who first backed Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who was eliminated on the second round, before supporting Stewart, suggested whoever he was endorsing was jinxed.

“Oh ffs. First Matt. Now Rory. Remaining contenders avoiding my third choice endorsement like... #ifyoudontgetthispokemonjokewecantbefriends #jynxjynxjynx”

Johnson managed 143 votes in yesterday’s ballot, 17 more than in the first round, with current Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt second with 54.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove got 51 votes, 10 more than in the second round, while Home Secretary Sajid Javid, who is backed by Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson, managed 38.

Backers of former Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab, who was eliminated from the race on Tuesday night, flocked to Johnson. Raab endorsed Johnson yesterday morning and by the time voting had begun at 3pm, 14 of his 30 supporters had declared for Johnson.

Hunt’s backers had been playing down expectations about how far the Foreign Secretary would advance, believing he would be unable to attract Raab’s former supporters. In the end, he kept his spot in second place. Earlier, Stewart had suggested he was in discussions with Gove’s camp over potentially combining forces as a way to ensure one of them reached the final stage of the Conservative leadership contest.

But there was a warning for Johnson from Brexiteers. One Eurosceptic when asked what would happen to Johnson if he reneged on his pledge to be out of the EU by 31 October, said: “The same thing that happened to Theresa May – only a lot quicker.”

The final two candidates will be selected today.