Tory leadership hopefuls will be hit with yellow card if they smear rivals under new rules

TORY leadership hopefuls will be hit with a yellow card if they smear their rivals under new rules to crack down on foul play.

Party chiefs, who are desperate to avoid blue-on-blue mud-slinging, yesterday made clear they would name and shame anyone engaged in dirty tactics.

The warning came as they confirmed the names of the six who would battle it out in the three-month race to replace Rishi Sunak.

Leading the charge is shadow communities secretary Kemi Badenoch, who is the bookies’ favourite.

But fellow right-wingers ex-immigration minister Robert Jenrick and ex-Home Secretary Dame Priti Patel are gearing up to take her down.

Competing for centrist votes are shadow security minister Tom Tugendhat, shadow home secretary James Cleverly and shadow work and pensions secretary Mel Stride.

Bob Blackman, chairman of the powerful 1922 Committee, announced they had all secured the backing of at least ten MPs.

And he said: “The yellow card situation is simple.

“The constant backbiting and attacking colleagues was one of the reasons why the party did so badly in the election.

“So if candidates indulge in it, then I will warn them and, if necessary, issue a public statement they have been involved in such activity.”

Mr Blackman insisted that would be “extremely detrimental” to a candidate’s chances.

The winner will be revealed on November 2.