Author: News Desk

Boris Johnson confirmed he will not stand for Tory leader (Picture: Reuters)

Boris Johnson has ruled himself out of running for the Conservative Party leadership.

After Lis Truss’ resignation on Thursday, there were rumours the ex-prime minister is considering a return to Number 10.

Though he was yet to formally declare his bid for premiership, there were also reports of a deal between him and Penny Mordaunt.

But Mr Johnson has this evening confirmed he will not stand for the top job in Westminster, despite claiming he had the votes required to do so.

You can read his statement, in full, below:

Boris Johnson’s statement was released late on Sunday: ‘In the last few days I have been overwhelmed by the number of people who suggested that I should once again contest the Conservative Party leadership, both among the public and among friends and colleagues in Parliament.
‘I have been attracted because I led our party into a massive election victory less than three years ago – and I believe I am therefore uniquely placed to avert a general election now.
‘A general election would be a further disastrous distraction just when the Government must focus on the economic pressures faced by families across the country.
‘I believe I am well placed to deliver a Conservative victory in 2024 – and tonight I can confirm that I have cleared the very high hurdle of 102 nominations, including a proposer and a seconder, and I could put my nomination in tomorrow.
‘There is a very good chance that I would be successful in the election with Conservative Party members – and that I could indeed be back in Downing Street on Friday.
‘But in the course of the last days I have sadly come to the conclusion that this would simply not be the right thing to do.
‘You can’t govern effectively unless you have a united party in parliament.
‘And though I have reached out to both Rishi (Sunak) and Penny (Mordaunt) – because I hoped that we could come together in the national interest – we have sadly not been able to work out a way of doing this.
‘Therefore I am afraid the best thing is that I do not allow my nomination to go forward and commit my support to whoever succeeds.
‘I believe I have much to offer but I am afraid that this is simply not the right time.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.

 The former prime minister admitted he cannot unite the warring Conservative Party. The former prime minister admitted he cannot unite the warring Conservative Party. 

Luckily, no one was hurt.

  Ex-prime minister says contesting for No 10 ‘would simply not be the right thing to do’ after days of seeking nominations Ex-prime minister says contesting for No 10 ‘would simply not be the right thing to do’ after days of seeking nominations 

‘It’s an interesting one.’

 The climate activists blocked traffic on both carriageways of the North London crossing made famous by The Beatles. The climate activists blocked traffic on both carriageways of the North London crossing made famous by The Beatles. 

Yep, not the 14th Doctor but the 15th.

 ‘I have much to offer but I am afraid that this is simply not the right time,’ Boris Johnson said. ‘I have much to offer but I am afraid that this is simply not the right time,’ Boris Johnson said. 

  Boris Johnson seemed to be on the verge of making a remarkable comeback as Prime Minister but has pulled out of the race at the last minute. ​Boris Johnson seemed to be on the verge of making a remarkable comeback as Prime Minister but has pulled out of the race at the last minute. 

The former Prime Minister has pulled out of the leadership contest, it has been reported.