BBC News Channel

BBC political correspondent Nick Eardley says Michael Gove is "bound to face intense questioning about whether or not he is going to continue in this race".

"His supporters acknowledge their man has had a bad weekend and is on the ropes.

"He will want to talk about his policies to including replacing VAT and Brexit.

"A lot of that is being drowned out by the noise of those drug admissions."

Image source, AFP/Getty Images

There seems to be a lot of excitement in the room ahead of Michael Gove's launch amid what one journalist describes as a "nightclub atmosphere".

And why is that? Well, his upbeat playlist of course (and the gold wristbands being given to reporters).

Gone are the days of Abba's Dancing Queen. Now Westminster's politicos are being treated to Happy by Pharrell, Can't Stop The Feeling by Justin Timberlake and Roar by Katy Perry.

But is Mr Gove the "champion" the latter sings about? We will let the Tory membership decide on that one...

BBC News Channel

The Institute for Fiscal Studies' Carl Emmerson says the leadership candidates "seem to be talking about giveaways".

He describes Michael Gove's proposals to replace VAT with a sales tax as "a big risk", adding: "It almost certainly wouldn't raise as much money as current VAT."

He says Boris Johnson's plan to cut income tax would be "nice if you can afford it", but asks: "Can we afford it?

"The question is, are you comfortable with more borrowing, or is it someone else's taxes going up, or is there some spending that will be cut?" he says.

"That is what we're not hearing about."

Michael Gove is due to issue his leadership bid shortly. For those waiting there's some loud pop music to get them in the mood.

Amid Brexit, social care and climate change, the next prime minister may also be faced with questions on if - and how - they would try to fix the North-South divide.

Thirty-three newspapers and websites have issued a demand that government stop treating the North as "an afterthought".

A joint editorial on Monday accuses successive governments of failing to tackle inequalities between the regions and warns that "every day of dither and delay risks leaving the North at an even greater disadvantage."

"This feels increasingly like a watershed moment. The North doesn't just need its fair share of investment but also substantial new devolved powers," the editorial says.

Newspapers to put their name to the statement include the Manchester Evening News, Newcastle Chronicle, Liverpool Echo, the Northern Echo, and Yorkshire Post.

A senior Welsh Conservative says hopefuls in the Tory leadership race should not be competing over pledges to make tax cuts.

Boris Johnson, Dominic Rabb and Michael Gove have all vowed cuts to taxes.

Stephen Crabb, a former Welsh Secretary who is backing Sajid Javid, said "the bidding war is nuts" and should not be taken seriously by party members.

What are the candidates to be the next prime minister saying about Scotland, and would any agree to a second independence referendum?

Read more here.

The World at One
BBC Radio 4

Speaking earlier on Radio 4, Rory Stewart confirmed he had the eight nominations needed to compete in the leadership contest.

Tory MPs have until 17:00 BST to enter the race to become party leader and PM.

The World at One
BBC Radio 4

"What would you do about drugs," asks another caller.

Rory Stewart says the government needs "to invest more in addiction treatment programmes". This follows Michael Gove's admissions about cocaine - Mr Stewart himself has said he once smoked opium at a wedding in Iran.

And that concludes the phone-in.

Tory leadership contender Esther McVey has used the launch of her campaign - well, a sort of unofficial launch we're told - to promise a pay rise for public sector workers.

The former work and pensions secretary also said she planned to increase police spending and funding for education if she was chosen as the next PM.

Speaking at a meeting of the Eurosceptic Bruges Group in London, she said: "Britain's public sector workers need a pay rise and our police and our schools desperately need cash.

"That's what my campaign is about."

Making her pitch to Tory members, she added: "I want to stand for leader of the greatest political party ever, the Conservative Party.

"My clear agenda is to deliver Brexit on 31 October and then we must unite the country, and then unite our party too."