Kemi Badenoch throws her hat into the ring as the race to succeed Boris Johnson hears up

NIGERIAN-born former British equalities minister Kemi Badenoch has announced that she will be standing to become the leader of the Conservative Party as the race to succeed Boris Johnson begins following his recent resignation.

Ms Badenoch, 42, has served as member of parliament for Saffron Walden since 2017 and as minister of state for levelling up communities and minister of state for equalities between 2021 and 2022. Born in Wimbledon, London, to parents of Nigerian origin, her childhood was spent in part in the US and in Lagos.

On Wednesday, Ms Badenoch, resigned from her post and declared she is standing to become party leader. Confirming her candidacy, Ms Badenoch said she wanted a limited government and to tell the truth, adding that she would lower taxes but would also introduce tight spending discipline.

Ms Badenoch said: "Without change the Conservative Party, Britain and the western world will continue to drift and rivals will outpace us economically and outmanoeuvre us internationally.  I'm putting myself forward in this leadership election because I want to tell the truth, it's the truth that will set us free."

Her campaign is centred on radically reducing the size and influence of the state and she also said she aims to preside over a limited government focused on the essentials. Ms Badenoch's resignation letter was delivered in dramatic fashion as it was co-signed with four other ministers, ahead of Boris Johnson resigning.

She wrote: “With great regret, I resigned from the government this morning. It has been an honour being equalities and local government minister. It was a privilege to have worked with so many great ministerial colleagues and civil servants in these roles.”

Other MPs who have declared their interest in standing are former chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak; Tom Tugendhat, the chairman of the foreign affairs select committee; Suella Braverman, the attorney general and Steve Baker, the MP for Wycombe. Foreign secretary Liz Truss is also widely expected to run for leader.

Ms Badenoch's full name is Olukemi Olufunto Badenoch  and her maiden name is Adegoke. She is married to former Conservative Councillor Hamish Badenoch and they have two daughters and a son.