Boris Johnson confirms he will ‘of course’ run to be prime minister in leadership contest

Johnson is a favourite among the grassroots membership

Boris Johnson has confirmed that he will run to be prime minister in any future Conservative leadership contest. Asked at a business event in Manchester if he would put himself forward, the former foreign secretary replied: "Of course I'm going to go for it." Adding: "I don't think that is any particular secret to anybody, but you know there is no vacancy at present." However, the comments come as Theresa May publicly agreed to set a date for her departure after the next Brexit vote in June, with BBC sources claiming that if she loses the vote she will resign. Michael Gove, Amber Rudd, Sajid Javid, Dominic Raab, Jeremy Hunt, Penny Mordaunt and Liz Truss are among the other politicians that are touted as potential runners after Theresa May leaves the position. But Johnson remains the favourite among the Tory grassroots membership, who would determine the winner of a contest once Conservative members of parliament determine their two choice of candidates via a series of secret ballots. Johnson resigned as foreign secretary last year over Brexit having begun in the role in 2016. He has remained a thorn in the side of the prime minister throughout Brexit negotiations, favouriting a hard Brexit over May's deal.