Boris Johnson pulls out of race for 10 Downing Street
The IndependentGet the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The former prime minister said he had “reached out” to leadership rivals Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt to see if they could work together in the national interest, but it had not proved possible. “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.” Earlier, allies of Ms Mordaunt disclosed that Mr Johnson had urged her to stand aside and back his campaign – something she refused to do. Before the announcement, Northern Ireland Minister Steve Baker warned Mr Johnson – who still faces a Commons inquiry into whether he misled Parliament over lockdown parties in Downing Street – would be a “guaranteed disaster”. “Rishi is immensely talented, will command a strong majority in the parliamentary Conservative Party, and will have my full support and loyalty.” Despite Mr Johnson’s claim to have the necessary nominations, some MPs in rival camps have questioned whether he really did.