Former Health Secretary Sajid Javid launched his leadership bid last night by pledging that he has ‘the integrity, experience and the plan’ to win the support of Conservative MPs.

Vying with Foreign Secretary Liz Truss for the title of the ‘most experienced candidate’ in the leadership race – Ms Truss has the longest continuous Cabinet service, but Mr Javid has held six portfolios compared to her five – an ally said: ‘Drawing on his record as the most experienced candidate, he will set out a plan to cut taxes, tackle the cost of living and smash the slow-growth trap we currently face. 

'At the heart of his plan is cancelling the scheduled rise in Corporation Tax, ensuring the UK remains internationally competitive.’

Mr Javid’s resignation on Tuesday evening over Boris Johnson’s leadership helped to trigger the crisis which led to the Prime Minister’s political demise – it was followed minutes later by that of Rishi Sunak.

Mr Javid’s campaign launch comes as Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries claimed that Mr Javid had told colleagues that Mr Sunak had resigned nearly eight hours before it was officially announced, fuelling claims it had been a co-ordinated ‘suicide attack’ by the two ministers.

Ms Dorries, who is reportedly considering launching her own leadership bid, wrote on Twitter yesterday: ‘Sajid held a meeting in Rishi’s private Chancellor’s office hours before Rishi resigned and said ‘it’s ok to come in here, Rishi’s gone already’.

That claim was denied last night by a spokesman for Mr Javid, who said: ‘The words claimed are not correct. 

'They did not speak to each other, and there was not any co-ordination’.

It was also reported yesterday that Mr Sunak’s supporters were trying to persuade the ex-Health Secretary to stand aside from the race to give the former Chancellor a clear run to win the leadership contest.

But the Javid ally insisted last night: ‘Sajid is the candidate with the integrity, the experience and the new, Conservative plan for our country.’