Boris Johnson planning Downing Street return should Liz Truss 'implode'

A Westminster insider has said that the outgoing Johnson is determined to make a comeback. 

The source went onto say that a disastrous first few months for Liz Truss could be seen as an opportunity for the Prime Minister to return. 

A second Conservative Party source said: “I think that could well intensify if things go badly for Liz – you get people thinking ‘would he have been any worse?’

“She’s got strikes coming up, energy bills, inflation, the whole lot.”

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The PM is said to believe that if Truss is unable to “get a grip” on the crises facing the UK, then Tory MPs would welcome Johnson’s return as a “winner” who could save the party from a potential defeat at the next election.

The source continued: “Covid really stopped any big projects or any governing at all really so he’d like a clear run and a chance to make amends.

“Although he wouldn’t call it making amends because as far as he’s concerned he’s not done anything wrong.”

The news comes after weeks of manoeuvring by Johnson’s allies and mounting scrutiny regarding his future. 

A Labour source said: “This sort of scheming shows just how out of touch the Tories are and why we need a fresh start with a Labour government. 

“Boris Johnson has had his chance and he’s been rejected by his party and the public.

“Boris Johnson should be focused on the cost of living crisis in the country but this sort of plotting shows he’s only interested in himself.”

Nadine Dorries is one of Johnson's loyal supporters

The Prime Minister’s allies see the upcoming Commons Privileges Committee inquiry into whether Johnson lied to MPs as the biggest obstacle in the way of a potential return to power. 

Key supporters, including Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries, have called for the inquiry to be scrapped, claiming it will be “rigged” and a “witch-hunt” as they urge Tory MPs on the committee to quit. 

Johnson is reportedly taking legal advice ahead of the probe with his team believed to have all but given up hope of avoiding censure if it goes ahead. 

A Tory source said: “The biggest danger for him is the inquiry. It could be a by-election that would see him kicked out. 

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“I think that’s the only way you could ever truly rule out some sort of comeback. I would say a comeback is possible rather than probable.”

Dorries is said to be in line for a peerage in Johnson’s resignation honours list which is set to be published in the coming weeks.