The Latest: Brexit leader Gove makes pitch for leadership

LONDON – The Latest on the British vote to leave the European Union (all times local):

11:40 a.m.

Conservative Party leadership candidate Michael Gove says he should be the next prime minister because Britain needs to be led by someone who genuinely believes in leaving the European Union.

Gove, the government’s justice minister, unexpectedly announced Thursday that he is running to succeed Prime Minister David Cameron. He had been expected to back former London Mayor Boris Johnson, his co-leader in the successful “leave” campaign.

Five Conservative lawmakers are running to replace Cameron, and the bookies’ favourite is Home Secretary Theresa May, who backed the “remain” side in the referendum.

Gove says he has been advocating a British exit, or Brexit, for 20 years. He says “the best person to lead Britain out of the European Union is someone who argued to get Britain out of the European Union.”

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11:25 a.m.

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who argued strongly that Britain should remain in the European Union, has warned that Britain is in peril following the Brexit vote.

Blair said in a Friday column in The Daily Telegraph that the future of the United Kingdom is at stake as the country faces negotiations on the terms of leaving the European Union.

He said Britain is dangerously divided, with “profound dismay” felt by many of the 48 per cent who wanted to remain in the EU.

The former Labour Party leader, who won three consecutive elections, said his party is “effectively disabled” under its current leadership and called for the Conservative Party lawmakers running for party leader to spell out their plans quickly.

Blair did not call for a second referendum on EU membership but did say: “Actually the people do have a right to change their mind.”

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9:30 a.m.

Political healing after Britain’s vote to leave the European Union seemed a distant prospect Friday, as Justice Secretary Michael Gove ramped up his Conservative leadership bid, and a senior colleague called for him to step aside.

Gove’s surprise entry into the leadership race led former London Mayor Boris Johnson — his erstwhile ally in the EU “leave” campaign — to drop out on Thursday.

Gove plans to spell out his plans for Britain’s post-European Union future in a speech Friday.

11:25 a.m.

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who argued strongly that Britain should remain in the European Union, has warned that Britain is in peril following the Brexit vote.

Blair said in a Friday column in The Daily Telegraph that the future of the United Kingdom is at stake as the country faces negotiations on the terms of leaving the European Union.

He said Britain is dangerously divided, with “profound dismay” felt by many of the 48 per cent who wanted to remain in the EU.

The former Labour Party leader, who won three consecutive elections, said his party is “effectively disabled” under its current leadership and called for the Conservative Party lawmakers running for party leader to spell out their plans quickly.

Blair did not call for a second referendum on EU membership but did say: “Actually the people do have a right to change their mind.”

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9:30 a.m.

Political healing after Britain’s vote to leave the European Union seemed a distant prospect Friday, as Justice Secretary Michael Gove ramped up his Conservative leadership bid, and a senior colleague called for him to step aside.

Gove’s surprise entry into the leadership race led former London Mayor Boris Johnson — his erstwhile ally in the EU “leave” campaign — to drop out on Thursday.

Gove plans to spell out his plans for Britain’s post-European Union future in a speech Friday.

Gove is up against Home Secretary Theresa May and three others to succeed David Cameron as party leader — and prime minister.

The result of last week’s referendum has rattled Britain’s economy and divided the country — 52 per cent of voters wanted to leave the 28-nation bloc, while 48 per cent voted to remain.