Boris Johnson’s sister has said she believes it was right for her brother to pull out of the Tory leadership race – but says she feels “sad” for him.
Rachel Johnson was hosting her LBC show on Sunday evening when the announcement came through that Mr Johnson was ending his bid to make a quick return to Downing Street.
The former prime minister had the public backing of 59 Tory MPs – far short of the 100 required to be included on the ballot – but decided “this is simply not the right time”.
Giving her reaction, Ms Johnson told her listeners: “My first feeling is as a sister, I’m afraid, not as a much, you know, despairing member of this country.
“I feel sad for him because clearly that was a hard note to write and he clearly wanted to feel that he could unite the party, and he could be a successful prime minister again.
“That is evidence that he does not think this is the right time.
“I will tell you that I also thought this was not his time. There may come a moment again when it is his time, but I felt three months after he left office, it was too soon.
“It felt too soon. I think the country feels that, too. The party – and the country – is as split as everyone else.”
She added she was “glad he’s taken this decision” and it suggests he thought the party was “too divided” and he was “not the person to unite it”.
Boris was ‘so cross’ when she beat him at ping pong
Speaking about her brother being someone who loves to win, Ms Johnson revealed how he once reacted when she beat him at ping pong.
“When I say he’s a man that likes winning – I was once playing ping pong with him,” she said.
“When I beat him in just one rally, he was so cross he kicked the garage door and broke a toe.”
Mr Johnson’s withdrawal from the race leaves the path open for Rishi Sunak.
The former chancellor has more than 150 backers, a significant lead over Penny Mordaunt, who has 25.
Read more:
Who are Tory MPs backing to be the next PM?
If both of them secure support from at least 100 MPs by this afternoon, Conservative Party members will have the chance to vote for their preferred candidate.
If Mr Sunak is the only one to reach this threshold, he will automatically become the UK’s third prime minister since the beginning of September.
Sky News will bring you all the latest from Westminster – follow it here to see who will get the keys to Number 10.
