Boris Johnson has revealed to a close political ally that he is going to run in the Conservative leadership contest to replace Liz Truss as he seeks a return to Number 10.
Tory MP James Duddridge told to Sky News’ chief political correspondent Jon Craig that he had spoken to the former prime minister, who is reportedly on holiday in the Caribbean, over the phone.
Mr Johnson told his friend he was “up for it”, adding: “I’m going to do it, Dudders!” – and he said he would be returning to the UK to take part.
It comes as Penny Mordaunt became the first person to announce her candidacy, tweeting that she would offer a “fresh start” for the Tory Party and the country.
Ex-Chancellor Rishi Sunak is also expected to launch his own campaign, but neither he nor Mr Johnson have officially announced they will take part in the race.
Those wanting to make it onto the ballot paper will need to secure 100 nominations from Tory MPs by Monday – meaning the maximum number of people able to stand is three.
If three candidates do reach the threshold, there will be a vote by MPs, with the top two put forward to a vote of the party membership and a winner chosen by Friday 28 October.
But should Tory MPs coalesce around one candidate, the contest will be over on Monday.
So far, Mr Sunak is leading the pack with 74 members publicly supporting him – including another former Chancellor, Rishi Sunak.
Mr Johnson has 43 MPs giving him their backing, including five cabinet ministers.
And Ms Mordaunt currently has 18 MPs saying they will support her in the contest.
Speculation is mounting about Mr Johnson launching a comeback to frontline politics after the dramatic resignation of Ms Truss yesterday – only six weeks after he was officially ousted from the top job.
Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg became the first cabinet minister to declare his support this morning, posting on social media: “I’m backing Boris #BorisorBust.”
He was followed by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, Levelling Up Secretary Simon Clarke, COP26 President Alok Sharma and Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan.
‘Boris riding to rescue’
Asked about Mr Johnson’s chances at a second run for office, one cabinet minister told Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby: “I’d expect him to get to 100 [nominations].
“Even people who resigned from his government were on the terrace yesterday telling colleagues they would now back him and members definitely will.”
A friend of Mr Johnson also told Sky News that it is “likely” he will stand.
Veteran Tory backbencher Sir Christopher Chope told Sky News he was “excited” by the possibility of the former PM returning to No 10.
“The news that Boris Johnson might be riding to the rescue of the country and the Conservative Party is really a great tonic,” he said.
‘Not the character’
But while multiple Tory MPs have expressed their support for a Johnson comeback, he remains a divisive figure.
Foreign Office minister Jesse Norman said selecting him as Conservative leader again would be “absolutely catastrophic”.
Senior backbencher Sir Roger Gale reminded voters in a tweet that the former prime minister, who resigned in a mire of sleaze, remains under investigation by the Commons privileges committee for potentially misleading the House over partygate.
If found guilty, Mr Johnson could face recall proceedings and potentially lose his seat in a by-election if he receives a suspension of 10 days or more.
Sir Roger also told Times Radio that, if Mr Johnson is voted back in as prime minister, he would give up the whip and stand as an independent.
Crispin Blunt was also against the return of Mr Johnson, telling Sky News he was “not the character” to lead the Conservative Party at this time – though he said he could return in the future.
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Who else could run?
Mr Sunak, who was a runner-up to Ms Truss in the previous leadership race, has signalled he is “very, very up for the job”, according to Sky’s deputy political editor Sam Coates.
Former cabinet ministers Dominic Raab and Robert Jenrick are among those who have backed the former chancellor.
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Jeremy Hunt, the new chancellor, has ruled himself out of the running.
Suella Braverman, who resigned as home secretary on Wednesday, was highly critical of Ms Truss when she stepped down – an indication, her allies believe, of her intention to run.
But so far only Ms Mordaunt has made an official announcement.
Opposition parties say that regardless of who is handed the keys to Downing Street, a general election must be called immediately.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Johnson was “unfit to govern” and that the British people “deserve so much better than this revolving door of chaos”.