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Rishi Sunak to confirm Tory leadership bid 'soon' Boris Johnson has the backing of 100 MPs, his campaign claims
(about 1 hour later)
Rishi Sunak is expected to confirm his candidacy to be the next leader of the party and prime minister "soon", according to campaign sources. Boris Johnson arrives at Gatwick Airport after a holiday in the Caribbean
The ex-chancellor is the first candidate to secure the 100 nominations to get to the first round of voting in the contest to replace Liz Truss. Boris Johnson has reached the 100 nominations by Tory MPs needed to enter the race to become the next prime minister, campaign sources claim.
Boris Johnson has flown back from holiday amid speculation he will run. This is far less than the number of publicly-declared backers for Mr Johnson, which stands at 50, according to BBC research.
Commons leader Penny Mordaunt is so far the only contender to have officially launched a leadership campaign. Rishi Sunak is ahead of Mr Johnson on nominations and is expected to declare his candidacy soon.
The hopefuls have until 14:00 BST on Monday to find 100 backers. If any candidate reaches 156 nominations out of the 357 Tory MPs the race will be reduced to two candidates, as there will not be enough MPs left to support a third candidate. Penny Mordaunt is still the only candidate to say she is running.
It will then go to an online ballot of the Conservative party membership, with the result to be announced on Friday. Conservative MPs have been quick to dismiss claims that Mr Johnson has reached the threshold to enter the first round of voting in the Conservative leadership race.
But if the party's MPs get behind just one candidate, we could have a new prime minister by Monday afternoon. The tally has been dismissed as "hogwash", "absolute garbage" and "clearly nonsense" MPs have told the BBC's Political Editor Chris Mason.
Follow Live: Johnson flies back to UK as Sunak leads PM raceFollow Live: Johnson flies back to UK as Sunak leads PM race
Who are Tory MPs backing to be next PM?Who are Tory MPs backing to be next PM?
Tory leadership: How secure is the online vote?Tory leadership: How secure is the online vote?
What's happened to Britain, global media askWhat's happened to Britain, global media ask
Polling suggests Mr Johnson - who was kicked out of office by his own MPs three months ago - would be favourite to win a members' vote. The hopefuls have until 14:00 BST on Monday to find 100 backers. If any candidate reaches 156 nominations out of the 357 Tory MPs the race will be reduced to two candidates, as there will not be enough MPs left to support a third candidate.
He has 49 declared backers so far, according to the running total being kept by the BBC, although other sources suggest it could be higher. It will then go to an online ballot of the Conservative party membership, with the result to be announced on Friday.
But if the party's MPs get behind just one candidate, we could have a new prime minister by Monday afternoon.
Polling suggests Mr Johnson would be favourite to win a members' vote.
Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg and Transport Secretary Anne Marie Trevelyan - plus former home secretary Priti Patel - have thrown their weight behind Mr Johnson.Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg and Transport Secretary Anne Marie Trevelyan - plus former home secretary Priti Patel - have thrown their weight behind Mr Johnson.
A close ally, Sir James Duddridge, said he had received a message from the former PM saying: "I'm flying back, Dudders. We are going to do this. I'm up for it."
His supporters say he is the only contender to have the backing of the voting public after winning the 2019 general election. Mr Johnson still has a Parliamentary investigation hanging over him over whether he lied to MPs about Covid lockdown-busting parties in Downing Street.His supporters say he is the only contender to have the backing of the voting public after winning the 2019 general election. Mr Johnson still has a Parliamentary investigation hanging over him over whether he lied to MPs about Covid lockdown-busting parties in Downing Street.
Some leading figures in the party have reacted with horror to the prospect of a second Johnson premiership, with former leader Lord Hague warning the party would enter a "death spiral".Some leading figures in the party have reacted with horror to the prospect of a second Johnson premiership, with former leader Lord Hague warning the party would enter a "death spiral".
Boris Johnson arrives at Gatwick Airport after a holiday in the Caribbean Mr Sunak was the first candidate to reach the 100 nominations needed to get to the first round of voting
According to the BBC's running total of MPs who have gone on the record with support, Mr Sunak - who was beaten by Ms Truss in the last Tory leadership election - currently has 112 backers.According to the BBC's running total of MPs who have gone on the record with support, Mr Sunak - who was beaten by Ms Truss in the last Tory leadership election - currently has 112 backers.
His supporters include former chancellor and health secretary Sajid Javid, Security Minister Tom Tugendhat and former deputy prime minister Dominic Raab.His supporters include former chancellor and health secretary Sajid Javid, Security Minister Tom Tugendhat and former deputy prime minister Dominic Raab.
Pointing to the parliamentary probe facing Mr Johnson, Mr Raab told the BBC: "We cannot go backwards. We cannot have another episode of the Groundhog Day, of the soap opera of Partygate".Pointing to the parliamentary probe facing Mr Johnson, Mr Raab told the BBC: "We cannot go backwards. We cannot have another episode of the Groundhog Day, of the soap opera of Partygate".
He said he was "very confident" Mr Sunak would stand, adding: "I think the critical issue here is going to be the economy. Rishi had the right plan in the summer and I think it is the right plan now."He said he was "very confident" Mr Sunak would stand, adding: "I think the critical issue here is going to be the economy. Rishi had the right plan in the summer and I think it is the right plan now."
Penny Mordaunt was first to declare that she wanted the top jobPenny Mordaunt was first to declare that she wanted the top job
House of Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt, who came third in the last leadership election, has 21 backers according to BBC research. More than half of the Parliamentary party has yet to say which way they will vote.House of Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt, who came third in the last leadership election, has 21 backers according to BBC research. More than half of the Parliamentary party has yet to say which way they will vote.
Launching her campaign on Twitter on Friday, Ms Mordaunt said she would "unite our country, deliver our pledges and win the next [general election]".Launching her campaign on Twitter on Friday, Ms Mordaunt said she would "unite our country, deliver our pledges and win the next [general election]".
Mordaunt backer Conservative MP Bob Seely said "I think we owe the country a collective responsibility to apologise" and said he believes Ms Mordaunt has the best chance of providing "unity and leadership" within the party.Mordaunt backer Conservative MP Bob Seely said "I think we owe the country a collective responsibility to apologise" and said he believes Ms Mordaunt has the best chance of providing "unity and leadership" within the party.
Among those to have ruled themselves out of the race are Defence Secretary Ben Wallace - who has said he is "leaning" towards supporting Mr Johnson - and current Chancellor Jeremy Hunt.Among those to have ruled themselves out of the race are Defence Secretary Ben Wallace - who has said he is "leaning" towards supporting Mr Johnson - and current Chancellor Jeremy Hunt.
Boris Johnson was ejected from office in July after a string of scandals, but the replacement chosen by the Tory Party, Liz Truss, lasted just 45 days, making her the shortest-serving prime minister in British history.Boris Johnson was ejected from office in July after a string of scandals, but the replacement chosen by the Tory Party, Liz Truss, lasted just 45 days, making her the shortest-serving prime minister in British history.
She stood down on Thursday, after a series of humiliating U-turns forced on her by an adverse reaction to her tax policies in the financial markets.She stood down on Thursday, after a series of humiliating U-turns forced on her by an adverse reaction to her tax policies in the financial markets.