US House Speaker Paul Ryan rules out Republican presidential bid

US House Speaker Paul Ryan has officially ruled out making a late attempt to become the Republican presidential nominee.
"I do not want, nor will I accept the Republican nomination," he said.

Mr. Ryan's name was floated as a late contender if there is a contested convention in July, as doubts persist over the strength of the candidates.

If none of Donald Trump, John Kasich and Ted Cruz can win 1,237 delegates, the convention will be contested.

The state-by-state primary contests, which come to New York next week, determine the number of delegates pledged to a particular candidate.

Mr. Trump is still well ahead in the number of delegates accumulated but may fall short of the magic number required.

Some in the party had hoped Mr. Ryan would emerge as a candidate at that stage, believing he would be a more effective and less divisive figure than Mr. Trump or Mr. Cruz.

Speaking at the Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington, Mr Ryan, who ran as Mitt Romney's running mate in the 2012 presidential election - ruled himself out unequivocally.

But some commentators were quick to point out that he said he did not want to run for Speaker of the House last year before eventually accepting the job.


SOURCE: BBC News