Boris Johnson is expected to enter the race to become Tory leader and Prime Minister, the Times' Steven Swinford reports. The former Prime Minister won a landslide majority of 80 seats in the 2019 General Election but left office after a premiership defined by the pandemic, lockdowns and scandals over sleaze, 'Partygate,' and ministerial behaviour.
The Times reports that Mr Johnson believes it would be a matter of "national interest" for him to take over after leaving office just six weeks ago. He is reportedly "taking soundings from friends" over a possible return and is currently on holiday in the Caribbean (meaning he missed Wednesday's crunch vote on fracking that ultimately brought down Liz Truss' leadership for good).
He hasn't yet publicly put his name down for the leadership race. Kemi Badenoch is reportedly expected to enter the fray, according to Sky News, as are Penny Mordaunt and Rishi Sunak. Allies of Michael Gove have said he won't stand and Jeremy Hunt has also ruled himself out.
