Boris Johnson could try to force his way back into office, a former Conservative Cabinet minister has predicted.
Rory Stewart, who ran against Mr Johnson for the Tory leadership in 2019, likened the outgoing UK prime minister to former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi and ex-US president Donald Trump, who are plotting comebacks.
The former international development minister told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I’m afraid he has an extraordinary ego, and he believes that he was badly treated.
“He doesn’t see the reality which is that he was a terrible prime minister and that he lost his job because of deep flaws of character.
“And yes I fear we’re going to end up with a second Berlusconi or a second Trump trying to rock back in again.”
Mr Johnson was ousted by his own MPs after a slew of scandals and is set to be replaced at No 10 by Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak next week.
Mr Stewart also told The Guardian: “I think he is dangerous and there are people out there who want him to come back…
“He’s going to be hovering around, hoping for a populist return.”
From the US to Pakistan former leaders are trying to defy political gravity - and whip up forces inside and outside their old parties - to force their way back into office. There is every chance Boris Johnson may think of trying to do the same… @RestIsPolitics https://t.co/x2gGxTOSBn
— Rory Stewart (@RoryStewartUK) July 22, 2022
Mr Johnson could reportedly take another shot at the leadership if his successor, widely expected to be Ms Truss, is brought down by the cost-of-living crisis.
One obstacle could be the Commons Privileges Committee inquiry into whether Mr Johnson lied to MPs over Downing Street lockdown parties, but some of his allies have already denounced the probe as a “witch hunt”.
Mr Stewart, a long-time critic of Mr Johnson, quit the Conservative Party in 2019 after losing the whip for voting to block a no-deal Brexit.
He has been appointed president of the GiveDirectly international aid charity.
