Five odd things that happened in the Tory leadership race today

– Mark Harper was forced to address one of the weightiest issues facing any new prime minister: who would win a fight between a lion and a bear?

At his “ask me anything” launch event, he said: “On the basis that the lion is the symbol of Britain, I’m going to say the lion.”

– Daytime TV star Lorraine Kelly said she was “baffled” by Esther McVey’s claim that she was promoted above her at GMTV and took aim at the presenter-turned-politician’s policy platform, saying: “I strongly disagree with her on LGBT rights.”

– Former Commons leader Andrea Leadsom reignited her feud with Speaker John Bercow, brandishing a sign saying “Bollocks to Bercow” at a lunch in Westminster.

A “Bollocks to Brexit” sticker has been spotted on Mr Bercow’s wife Sally’s car in Westminster.

– Sajid Javid launched a slick promotional video, setting out his personal journey from being the son of a Pakistani immigrant bus driver to holding one of the great offices of state.

But a lot of the focus was on Mr Javid’s pet dog Bailey.

Even political opponents took notice, with Labour’s Darren Jones asking: “Where’s the bit of the video with Saj putting up his personal painting of Margaret Thatcher in his office? I must have been distracted by the cute dog.”

– Bailey was not the only pet on parade – Rory Stewart was seen making friends with his potential new cat, Number 10’s Larry, as the International Development Secretary arrived for Cabinet.