Boris Johnson Will Not Support Any Candidate Running To Succeed Him As UK's PM: Report

In his first media appearance after stepping down as PM, Johnson said, "I wouldn't want to damage anybody's chances by offering my support."

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson declined to back any of the candidates running to succeed him on Monday, saying he didn't want to jeopardize their prospects, news agency Reuters reported.

In his first media appearance after stepping down as PM, Johnson said, "I wouldn't want to damage anybody's chances by offering my support."

“Whoever takes over from me, there is a great agenda to be continued… my job is to continue with the programme on which we were elected. The job of government has got to be carried on while leadership contest takes place,” he said.

11 Candidates To Race To Succeed Boris Johnson As PM

Earlier on Sunday, UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss entered the race to succeed Boris Johnson as Prime Minister and Leader of the ruling Conservative Party, as the acrimonious campaign centered on tax, news agency AFP reported.

Truss, 46, declared her candidacy in the Daily Telegraph on Sunday evening, claiming she had "a clear vision of where we need to go, as well as the expertise and commitment to get us there."

Truss' bid, viewed as a frontrunner in the Tory leadership campaign, came after that of former defence minister Penny Mordaunt, as the competition grew to 11 contenders.

Moreover, Former finance minister Rishi Sunak is the early favourite, having begun his candidacy on Friday after helping to spark the cabinet upheaval that led to Johnson's forced departure on Thursday. He is now facing early criticism from Johnson supporters and competing contenders.

Sunak and former health minister Sajid Javid, who has also confirmed his candidacy, both quit late Tuesday, pushing scores of more junior colleagues to follow suit.

This compelled Johnson to resign as Tory leader 36 hours later.

But the 58-year-old leader, whose three-year tenure has been marked by scandal, the country's exit from the European Union, and the Covid outbreak, has stated he will remain on until his successor is chosen.

(With Agencies Inputs)