Matt Hancock backs 'One Nation Tory' Johnson for leader

View
comments

Boris Johnson's procession towards Downing Street gathered pace today as Matt Hancock backed him - amid claims he has already started promising Cabinet jobs.  

The Health Secretary dropped out on Friday after a disappointing result in the first round ballot, but has now put himself in the running to be the next Chancellor by endorsing the favourite.

The support of a former Remainer and Cabinet heavyweight will further reinforce Mr Johnson’s status as PM-in-waiting.

Despite snubbing the first Tory leadership TV debate last night, he is increasingly looking unstoppable - with rivals squabbling over who will come second. 

Chancellor Philip Hammond will not survive the changeover to a Johnson regime, meaning the prized spot at No11 is up for grabs.

Treasury chief secretary Liz Truss has been pushing hard for the job, having backed Mr Johnson from the start.  

However, allies of Mr Johnson said he had been ‘inspired’ by Mr Hancock’s campaign and it is understood the pair spoke several times over the weekend. 

Mr Hancock said he ‘wholeheartedly endorsed’ Mr Johnson who he said can ‘bring the party and country together’ by ‘dominating the centre ground’.

He praised Mr Johnson’s ‘disciplined campaign’ and argued he is ‘almost certain’ to be the next PM. 

‘We need to unite behind him with a strong team that can bring the party together and then bring the country together,’ he told The Times. 

‘I have repeatedly argued for a strategy of defeating the danger of Farage by delivering Brexit and defeating the danger of Corbyn by dominating the centre ground thereafter. That is Boris’s plan and I wholeheartedly endorse it.’

It is a blow to Michael Gove who was vying for Mr Hancock’s endorsement.

‘Boris is keen

read more from dailymail.....