Boris Johnson has 100 backers in UK leadership contest

Boris Johnson has 100 backers in UK leadership contest
October 22, 2022, 7:30 pm

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak are seen in cabinet room in 10 Downing Street during Johnson's birthday, in London, Britain June 19, 2020 in this picture obtained from civil servant Sue Gray's report published on May 25, 2022. Sue Gray Report / gov.uk/Handout via REUTERS

Boris Johnson has 100 backers and could be on the ballot to succeed Liz Truss as Britain's prime minister, Sunday Times Chief Political Commentator Tim Shipman said on Twitter, citing an unnamed source close to the former prime minister.

The BBC and Sky News also reported separately that Johnson, who arrived in London earlier on Saturday after a holiday in the Caribbean, now had more than 100 backers.

While Johnson has not officially declared he is running in the contest, his supporter and Conservative lawmaker James Duddridge said on Friday (Oct 21) that Johnson had told him he was "up for it".

Rishi Sunak is ahead of Mr Johnson on nominations and is expected to declare his candidacy soon. He currently has 112 backers.

Penny Mordaunt is still the only candidate to say she is running.

Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg and Transport Secretary Anne Marie Trevelyan - plus former home secretary Priti Patel - have thrown their weight behind Mr Johnson.

Boris Johnson in a visit to Hinkley Point C, which is the first new nuclear power station to be built in the UK this century. It will generate low-carbon electricity for six million homes (File photo: PM Boris Johnson official Facebook page)

His supporters say he is the only contender to have the backing of the voting public after winning the 2019 general election. Mr Johnson still has a Parliamentary investigation hanging over him over whether he lied to MPs about Covid lockdown-busting parties in Downing Street.

Rishi Sunak leads PM race as Boris Johnson arrives in London

Some leading figures in the party have reacted with horror to the prospect of a second Johnson premiership, with former leader Lord Hague warning the party would enter a "death spiral".

Boris Johnson was ejected from office in July after a string of scandals, but the replacement chosen by the Tory Party, Liz Truss, lasted just 45 days, making her the shortest-serving prime minister in British history.

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