Candidates urged to stand aside in PM race

Candidates bidding to replace Theresa May as prime minister of the United Kingdom and the leader of the Conservative Party are vying to separate themselves from the pack in a crowded leadership race. As of Monday, there were 13 competitors.

Leadership battles typically attract a handful of hopefuls but this is the largest field in Conservative Party history.

The BBC said on Monday the overcrowded race had led some senior members of the Conservative Party, including Housing Minister James Brokenshire, to urge fringe candidates to pull out in order to save time and leave the waters less muddied.