Senior Tory reveals plot to oust Boris Johnson on first day as PM in extraordinary revelation

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: "Jo Swinson is the fresh, positive new leader who will take the Liberal Democrats to greater heights by reaching out to new groups of voters and building on the success of recent elections.

"Jo provides a stark contrast between the indecisive Jeremy Corbyn and chaotic Boris Johnson and will lead the country away from the forces of populism and nationalism.

"Jo is not tribal and will work with others to stop Brexit, stop independence and build a country that is richer, cleaner and greener."

Meanwhile, Jeremy Hunt is making a statement in the Commons on the Iranian seizure of a British-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday.

He says it was an act of "state piracy" by Iran, which should be condemned by the international community.

He urges Iran to release the tanker and says there is no comparison between the seizure of an Iranian tanker by Gibraltar - which was an effort to enforce EU sanctions.

Jeremy Hunt outlines plans for a new "European-led maritime protection mission to support safe passage of crew and cargo" in the Persian gulf. 

The foreign secretary says he has had "constructive discussions" with European countries over the weekend.

He says European mission "will not be part of the US maximum pressure policy on Iran" as it retains its commitment to Iran nuclear deal - which Donald Trump has rejected.

International development secretary Rory Stewart has confirmed his intention to stand down instead of serving under Boris Johnson. He is the third senior Tory to announce his intention to quit.

He tweeted: "Getting a little confused with people asking whether I’ve resigned. I made that announcement 8 weeks ago - when I said that because of our differences on Brexit and prorogation, I wouldn’t be able to serve in a Boris Johnson cabinet..."

In the Commons, shadow foreign office minister Fabian Hamilton said: "Iran's actions in recent weeks in the Strait of Hormuz have been utterly unacceptable and should be condemned from all sides."

He questioned why a British-flagged tanker was "left so hopelessly unprotected in the Strait of Hormuz when anyone with any understanding of this issue could see that this was exactly" how the Iranians would respond following the seizure of one of their tankers.

Mr Hamilton added: "When the measures the Foreign Secretary announced today, which are very welcome, could have been put in place a full 20 days before now, why was the Government's eye so patently off the crystal ball?"

He also asked about measures to de-escalate the tensions and "stop this tit-for-tat cycle of actions".

Jeremy Hunt crossed his fingers as he tried to talk up his chances of causing an upset in the Tory leadership contest.

After praising the work of Sir Alan Duncan in the Foreign Office, Mr Hunt told the Commons: "He will be greatly missed in King Charles Street but not for long if tomorrow's result is the upset I am hoping for."

As MPs laughed, Mr Hunt crossed his fingers - prompting further laughter from all sides.

The Royal Navy "has become too small" and extra funding must be found to expand it, foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt has said.

Conservative MP John Baron had asked in the Commons if Hunt agreed that a navy of fewer than 20 ships was "not up to the task".

Mr Hunt replied: "I might be straying slightly from my brief as foreign secretary but it won't surprise [Mr Baron] to know I am a supporter of increased spending on our armed forces.

"We had in many ways a golden period after the fall of the Berlin Wall where there was a peace dividend and we were able to reduce defence spending, but now we have to recognise there are increased dangers in the world - both in the Middle East and because Russia has become much more aggressive than it was previously.

"I think the navy in particular has become too small so I hope whoever the next prime minister is will reflect carefully on what we can do to bolster our great Royal Navy."

The next prime minister could, of course, be Mr Hunt himself if he is able to cause an upset and defeat Boris Johnson.

The UK government signed off nearly £650m worth of arms licence exports to Saudi Arabia in the six months following the brutal murder of the dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi by regime forces, reports my colleague Ashley Cowburn.

Despite the killing being condemned last year in the "strongest possible terms" by the foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt, the UK government continued "business as usual" with the regime, new analysis by the Campaign Against the Arms Trade shows.

The government has considered deploying troops aboard ships following the seizure of a British tanker by Iran, Jeremy Hunt has told MPs.

But the foreign secretary said ministers the strategy was rejected out of fears it would make UK vessels and soldiers "a target".

The disclosure came after Tory MP Richard Drax asked if troops should be deployed as a "deterrent" on British ships.

Mr Hunt replied: "We have considered the idea ... but we have rejected it because we think it would make those ships a target and we would have the risk of Royal Marines being taken as hostage, which would create an even greater crisis."