Cabinet Minister Nadhim Zahawi has been ridiculed for publicly backing Boris Johnson and then switching to Rishi Sunak half an hour later.
The top Tory performed a screeching U-turn when Mr Johnson pulled out of the race last night.
In a piece for the Telegraph, which went live at 9pm on Sunday, Mr Zahawi urged Brits to "get ready for Boris 2.0, the man who will make Tories and Britain great again".
But at the exact same minute the piece was published, Mr Johnson confirmed he was pulling out of the race, leaving his arch rival Rishi Sunak in pole position to become Prime Minister.
The piece was then quickly deleted.
At 9.29pm, Mr Zahawi tweeted: "A day is a long time in politics...
"Given today's news, it's clear that we should turn to Rishi Sunak to become our next Prime Minister.
"Rishi is immensely talented, will command a strong majority in the parliamentary Conservative Party, and will have my full support & loyalty."
His shameless U-turn, which came after he claimed Boris Johnson was "the one to lead us to victory", was roundly mocked by critics.
Broadcaster Sue Perkins tweeted: "Glad to see integrity in public life is still a thing."
SNP MP John Nicolson said he had been "stitched up like a kipper".
He said: "Only hours ago Nadhim Zahawi actually believed Boris Johnson and his fantasy tally of non existent MPs. He thought he was shredding his dignity to be on the winning side.
"Instead he’s been stitched up like a kipper and made to look totally absurd."
Bookmaker Paddy Power tweeted: "BREAKING: Nadhim Zahawi has arrived at Downing Street in his Sunak/Johnson half and half scarf."
Mr Johnson's prominent backers were left red faced by his decision to quit the race at the eleventh hour - despite his allies briefing that he had enough support to get on the ballot paper.
Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt are battling to win over his supporters ahead of the 2pm deadline for nominations.
Mr Sunak has already won more than half of the Tory parliamentary party, with nominations ticking towards 180 MPs.
But Ms Mordaunt's allies insist they are "confident" she will hit the target.
If they both get more than 100 backers, there will be an online vote by party members, with the new Prime Minister announced on Friday.
