Kit Malthouse jumps out from race to replace British PM Theresa May

British housing minister Kit Malthouse withdrew from a race to replace Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday, saying he was a "realist" who saw that there was an appetite for the contest to be over as quickly as possible.

"The last few days have demonstrated that there is an appetite for this contest to be over quickly and for the nation to have a new leader in place as soon as possible," Malthouse, who was not a frontrunner, said in a statement on Twitter.

"As such, it seems right to me that I withdraw my candidature. I have decided to withdraw from the contest for the leadership of the Conservative Party. Thank you to all those who have supported me," he announced over Twitter.

I have decided to withdraw from the contest for the leadership of the Conservative Party. Thank you to all those who have supported me. pic.twitter.com/9alByxmvT3

— Join Kit (@kitmalthouse) June 4, 2019

(With inputs from agencies.)