Tensions are building in the Tory leadership battle
Supporters of Rishi Sunak have been demanding that Boris Johnson’s camp publish the full list of MPs who are backing him in the leadership election, following claims that he has reached the threshold of 100 nominations.
On Saturday afternoon, campaign sources told the BBC that Boris Johnson had got the required 100 Tory MP backers, meaning that he could be on the ballot for the leadership election on Monday.
Boris Johnson has got the required 100 Tory MP backers, according to campaign sources, meaning that he could be on the ballot for the leadership election on Monday. pic.twitter.com/ydW8aSsmHS
— JOE (@JOE_co_uk) October 22, 2022
But only around half of this number have publicly come out in support of Liz Truss’ predecessor, prompting some Tories to label the Johnson camp’s claims as “Hogwash”, “absolute garbage”, “clearly nonsense.”
Immediate scepticism from some MPs backing others — saying it’s ‘hogwash’ and ‘absolute garbage’ — given public declarations are so much lower https://t.co/NRTq0ac3e5 https://t.co/5EGxwIeFCB
— Chris Mason (@ChrisMasonBBC) October 22, 2022
Meanwhile, 114 Conservative MPs have come out publicly and supported Rishi Sunak who fell at the final hurdle of the leadership election last month, losing out to Liz Truss.
Sunak supporter Richard Holden MP casts doubt on the claim on Twitter, responding to a journalist wondering why Johnson’s supposed backers have not come out publicly by saying: “It’s because they don’t exist.”
Meanwhile, Sunak backer Bim Afolami MP told LBC that if Johnson’s camp have 100 names then they should publish them: “We’ve got to be transparent about who’s supporting who.
“On Rishi’s side we’re well over the 100 nominations required and we are very clear about who’s supporting him.”
Earlier on Saturday Tory MP Lee Anderson announced he was backing Boris Johnson after the former PM called him earlier in the day.
The MP for Ashfield in Nottinghamshire – a seat in the so-called “Red Wall” – posted a selfie as well as a photo of Johnson apparently on the phone with him, giving a thumbs up.
Anderson wrote: “My Choice. Boris Johnson just called me.
“We have had a long chat about everything past and present. My inbox is full of BBB [bring back Boris]. I am drawing a line under it. Boris has my support.”
https://www.facebook.com/LeeAndersoninAshfieldEastwood/posts/639409584524307
Three of Johnson’s former cabinet colleagues, Priti Patel, Jacob Rees-Mogg and Ben Wallace, have also publicly supported the former PM.
It is less than 48 hours until nominations for the next Conservative Party leader and prime minister close.
Hopeful candidates have until Monday at 14:00 BST to find 100 backers.
The candidate with the fewest votes will then be eliminated, with the Conservative party members then voting on who they want to win out of the final two.
By Friday (October 28), the UK should have its third prime minister in just three months.
Related links:
- BBC News viewers can’t get enough of guest’s unfortunate caption
- Spoof job advert for UK Prime Minister seeks people lacking ‘moral fortitude’
- Boris Johnson’s dad Stanley believes his son has ‘unfinished business’ in Downing Street
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