David Cameron sent Boris Johnson a revenge text after the former London mayor was defeated in his leadership bid, a new book claims.
Mr Johnson failed to put his name forward to become the new Tory leader after the Brexit vote after being betrayed by fellow Leave campaigner Michael Gove.
In a book by Tim Shipman, it is claimed Mr Cameron sent Mr Johnson a gloating message saying: "You should have stuck with me, mate.”
Extracts of the book All Out War were published in today’s Sunday Times, promising to tell the “disastrous inside story of how Boris did not become prime minister”.
One cabinet member told the author that Mr Cameron was "the happiest I have seen him in a long time" on the day Mr Gove launched his rival bid for the top job.
Mr Cameron, who backed staying in the EU, stood down from his role as Prime Minister when the referendum vote failed to go his way.
The book also claims Andrea Leadsom had been due to join Mr Gove and Mr Johnson’s leadership team but fell out with the pair when the ex-mayor failed to send a tweet about it by 8pm.
It is claimed she texted Mr Johnson to say: “I am very sorry Boris and Michael but it was very clear I needed a public statement this evening.
"I would have been really keen to work with you but I am now going to submit my nomination papers."
According to the volume, the loss of Leadsom was the final straw for Mr Gove, who had already been “under intense pressure” from his own allies to run for leader.
