Boris Johnson Could Make A Comeback As UK PM After Liz Truss' Resignation

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is rumored to make a political comeback and stand as a candidate in the imminent leadership race following the resignation of his successor Liz Truss, according to several media outlets.

On Thursday, hours after Truss announced her resignation, The Times of London said Johnson is expected to go up against former chancellor Rishi Sunak and House of Commons leader Penny Mordaunt for the position, citing unnamed sources. CNN also reported Johnson would "run again this time" to lead his party, citing two sources who worked on the former prime minister's campaign in 2019.

Johnson has yet to announce whether he plans to run for leadership again. However, his closest allies have lobbied for him in the hours following Truss' resignation announcement. Andrea Jenkyns, a Tory lawmaker who previously ran against Theresa May, was among the first of Johnson's allies to demonstrate their support for a potential comeback.

"BorisJohnson has the democratic mandate and won the Conservatives an 80-seat majority. #BringBackBoris," Jenkyns wrote in a Twitter post.

James Duddridge, a minister in the Department for International Trade, also took to Twitter to show his support for a Johnson comeback.

"I hope you enjoyed your holiday boss. Time to come back. Few issues at the office that need addressing. #BringBackBoris," Duddridge wrote.

However, other conservative lawmakers, including Justin Tomlinson, said Johnson's manner of exit could rule out his return.

"I was part of Team Boris, I was disappointed to see him go, but it's too soon," Tomlinson told Sky News. "I think it's probably wishful thinking from some of my colleagues on that front."

Johnson was forced to resign as Britain's prime minister in July in response to a series of scandals, the latest one involving former government minister Chris Pincher.

In June, Pincher was accused of groping two men at a private members' club in London after he "drank far too much." The accusation led to a flurry of further allegations of sexual assault against Pincher. Johnson initially denied any knowledge of any accusations against Pincher when he appointed him as deputy chief whip in February. However, he later admitted that he had been told of Pincher's misconduct in 2019 and apologized for appointing Pincher as a deputy chief whip.

In addition to the Pincher scandal, Johnson also received flak after he attended a gathering in 2020 at the Downing Street garden even when Britain was under COVID-19 lockdown.

The election for Britain's prime minister will be held Monday between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. London time. Candidates would need to secure at least 100 nominations to proceed to the first ballot, per the Financial Times.