Just weeks after he was forced to step down, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is returning to Britain in a bold bid to win a second term as prime minister amid warnings from some of his colleagues that his return could cause further political chaos

Earlier, Sir James Doddridge read what he said was a letter from Johnson to the news agency PA Media, which seemed to confirm his intention to compete: "I'll be back, comrades. We'll do it. I am very ready".

"He is the only winner of the elections we have, he has a track record of achievements in London, Brexit, getting the mandate that we have now,"Doddridge said.

In a frantic start to the week, potential candidates to succeed prime minister Liz Truss, who resigned dramatically on Thursday after just six weeks in power, scrambled to secure enough support to compete for the party leadership ahead of Monday's deadline.

Johnson, who was holidaying in the Caribbean when Truss resigned and has not made any statements about a bid to regain his former post, has the support of dozens of Conservative MPs but needs to secure 100 nominations to compete.

Trade Minister James Doddridge said on Friday that Johnson had told him he was "ready for it" and that the former leader would return to Britain on Saturday.

The prospect of Johnson returning to government is a polarizing issue for many in the Conservative Party, which is deeply divided after a succession of four prime ministers in six years.

Former Treasury minister Rishi Sunak is expected to announce that he is running for the leadership of the party, after receiving the number of more than 100 deputies.

Late on Friday, Sunak received the required minimum number of votes to run for the post of leader of the Conservative Party after Truss's resignation, according to supportive deputies.

Prominent Conservative MP in the House of Commons Tobias Ellwood wrote on Twitter "I am honored to be the one hundredth MP of the Conservative Party supporting Rishi," followed by other supporters who confirmed that Sunak had crossed the one hundredth barrier.

Sunak will automatically become leader of the Conservative Party and prime minister if his rivals Penny Mordaunt and Boris Johnson fail in their bid to get 100 nominations from their conservative colleagues in Parliament.

This comes with the announcement of the minister of relations with Parliament, Penny Mordaunt, via "Twitter" her candidacy to take over the British Prime Minister.

The 49-year-old, who previously held the portfolios of Defense and international trade, said: "I announce my candidacy to be the leader of the Conservative Party and your prime minister, to unite our country, fulfill our obligations and win the next legislative elections.

"I was encouraged by the support of colleagues who want a fresh start, a united party and leadership in the National Interest,"wrote Mordaunt, who finished third in the last leadership race behind truss and Sunak.

She added: "I am running to be the leader of the Conservative Party and your prime minister, to unite our country, fulfill our pledges and win the next general election."

 

Among those who have ruled themselves out of the race are Defence Minister Ben Wallace - who has indicated he is "leaning" towards supporting Johnson and current Treasury Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

But Hunt ruled himself out of the race, along with Tugendhat and former minister Michael Gove.

The contenders have until 14:00 GMT on Monday to get the support of 100 deputies. If three people manage to reach the nomination threshold, Conservative MPs will vote to remove one candidate in a ballot on the same day.

Members of Parliament will hold a "tie-breaking" ballot between the last two candidates, and the winner will be determined in an online vote of party members, next Friday.