Boris Johnson will stand for Tory leadership as ‘matter of national interest’, report says

Boris Johnson is expected to stand in the Tory leadership contest to replace Liz Truss as Prime Minister, it is claimed.

The Tory MP, who formally stood down as prime minister just six weeks ago, is taking soundings about his chances but is said to believe it is a “matter of national interest”, the Times reports.

Sources told the Telegraph that Mr Johnson is “likely but not certain to stand”.

The move is unlikely to wash well with the public, after he stood down amid a wealth of scandal, but many Tories may believe he is the party’s best bet at recovery.

Mr Johnson is currently on holiday in the Caribbean but is understood to be cutting his trip short and booking a flight to return to London this evening.

Several Tory MPs, including Mr Johnson’s former parliamentary private secretary, has urged him to “come back” to frontline politics.

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James Durridge, Tory MP for Rochford and Southend East, said: “I hope you enjoyed your holiday boss. Time to come back. Few issues at the office that need addressing. #bringbackboris.”

Marco Longhi, MP for Dudley North, also called for Mr Johnson to return.

He wrote on Twitter: “The only person who has a mandate from the general public, is Boris Johnson MP. He is the only person that commands that authority given to him by the public at a General Election.

“He is the only person who can discharge the mandate from the people. Please come back Boss.”

But other Tory MPs seem less convinced and have called for the party to pick a fresh candidate.

Sir Robert Syms, the Tory MP for Poole, said: “Boris running is a fantasy the number for nominations will be lifted to limit runners and there will be massive pressure on the 2nd candidate in MPs ballot to drop out.”

Tory MP Bob Seely also opposes and said the party should not “go back” with Mr Johnson.

“I want us to go forward under Penny,” he told Sky News.

The Lib Dems are calling for Mr Johnson to be blocked from standing again.

Daisy Cooper, the Lib Dem’s deputy leader, said: “The fact that Conservative MPs are even considering putting Boris Johnson back in Number 10 shows how out of touch they really are. They think there’s one rule for them and another for everyone else.

“Boris Johnson was forced to resign in disgrace after countless lies, scandals and failures. He shattered public trust in the government and plunged the UK into a political crisis. He must never be allowed near Downing Street again.

“The future of our country should be in the hands of voters, not the Conservative MPs who have caused all this chaos.”

Bookmakers Ladbrokes have said Mr Johnson’s odds at succeeding Ms Truss have tumbled from 20/1 to just 3/1 after reports emerged that had thrown his hat in the ring.

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In the weeks since he stood down from office Mr Johnson has kept a low profile. He didn’t attend the recent Conservative Party Conference and has kept out of the chaos that has engulfed the party since the mini-Budget.

But when he gave his farewell speech at the start of September, the former PM left the door open for a comeback.

He made a characteristic reference to the classics when he quipped: “Like Cincinnatus, I am returning to my plough.”

Cincinnatus, a Roman statesman from the fifth century BC, was said to have preferred farming to politics – but, crucially, he was recalled from his farm due to popular demand at a moment of crisis.

The remark immediately prompted speculation that he is planning a comeback of his own – and the former PM has remained tight-lipped on the possibility, so it cannot be ruled out.

Former Cabinet minister Nadine Dorries has been advocating Mr Johnson’s return in recent days, and wrote on Twitter earlier on Thursday: “One person was elected by the British public with a manifesto and a mandate until January ‘25.

“If Liz Truss is no longer PM there can be no coronation of previously failed candidates.

“MPs must demand return of @BorisJohnson – if not it has to be leadership election or a GE.”

A recent poll of Conservative Party members by YouGov also suggested that Mr Johnson is the favourite to succeed Ms Truss.

One in three would like to see the former-PM reinstated, followed by 23 per cent for leadership challenger and former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, and 10 per cent for Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.

Pros:

Cons:

This story is being updated…