Boris Johnson's future under threat after Brexit vision seen as leadership bid, sources say

Sean Morrison @seanmorrison_17 September 2017
WEST END FINAL

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Boris Johnson is “sailing with an inch” of being thrown out of the Government after the Foreign Secretary’s Brexit vision was seen as a leadership bid, it has been claimed.

Mr Johnson declared he is “all behind” Theresa May after his 4,000-word assessment on the UK’s departure from the EU fuelled speculation about his ambitions.

The in-depth article, which revived widely-criticised claims Brexit could boost NHS coffers by up to £350m a week, was published six days before the Prime Minister set out her EU-exit blueprint.

It prompted claims that allies of Mrs May believed the move was “hostile” and “attention seeking”, along with suggestions it would be seen as a “direct challenge” to her leadership.

A senior minister who backed Remain told the Sunday Telegraph Mr Johnson "needs to go and do something else" if he "can't settle" into his role as foreign secretary.

And a former minister said he was "sailing within an inch of being thrown out of the Government".

Sir Craig Oliver, former director of communications at Downing Street for David Cameron, said even if the genuine intention was to support the Prime Minister, it was obvious it would be seen in Westminster as a "direct challenge".

But as the furore raged, Mr Johnson insisted in a tweet he was "looking forward to PM's Florence speech", adding: "All behind Theresa for a glorious Brexit”.

In his plan for Brexit, Mr Johnson suggested continued membership of the single market and customs union would make a "complete mockery" of the referendum result.

Writing for the Daily Telegraph, he said the Government should "seize the opportunity" of Brexit to reform the UK tax system to boost investment, he suggested.

Rules restricting foreign buyers from snapping up property could be imposed once Britain leaves the EU but the UK should not slam the door on immigration, he wrote.

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