Four out of the five terrestrial broadcasters cut in to regular coverage to air the result of Iain Duncan Smith's vote of confidence.

BBC One cut back on its regional news and dropped Animal Hospital for a News 24 simulcast, anchored by Huw Edwards, from 6.45pm.

ITV1, meanwhile, overran its Evening News bulletin by five minutes to bring news of the loss, which was announced just after 7pm. Mary Nightingale remained on air for extended coverage on the ITV News Channel.

Sky News, which has had almost blanket coverage of the story over the course of today, will air a special Tories in Turmoil analysis programme at 9pm this evening, anchored by political editor Adam Boulton.