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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Jamie Grierson

Boris Johnson had enough backers to challenge Rishi Sunak, says 1922 chair

Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak
Boris Johnson (left) pulled out of the Conservative leadership race last month, paving the way for Rishi Sunak to become prime minister. Photograph: Leon Neal/Getty

The chair of the committee of Conservative backbenchers has suggested the former prime minister Boris Johnson had the backing of enough MPs to mount a challenge to Rishi Sunak in last month’s leadership contest.

Johnson dropped out of the race, claiming he had the nominations needed to make it on to the ballot paper but could not unite the party.

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