ben wallace
Ben Wallace's comments put him at odds with his close ally Boris Johnson.
Ben Wallace told BBC Question Time Britain should listen to the US's warnings.
"They will now see that what preoccupies the United States is purely really a domestic agenda."
The Today programme host repeatedly pressed the Tory leadership candidate for details over his bizarre remark.
The total is close to the last Tory exodus, seen ahead of Labour's 1997 landslide victory.
The total now exceeds the last Tory exodus, seen ahead of Labour's 1997 landslide victory.
There are currently 68 MPs leaving parliament as Conservatives in July.
Dozens have now announced that they are standing down - with more set to follow them.
Astonishingly, it will be his fifth cabinet job in less than a year.
The long-serving minister is also quitting as a Tory MP at the next election.