A North East MP says he is backing Boris Johnson to return as Conservative Party leader after being “inundated” with support for the former Prime Minister.
Blyth Valley MP Ian Levy, who was first elected in 2019 to become the constituency’s first ever Tory MP, made the comments at an event in Blyth on Friday (October 21) morning.
Levy has been a staunch backer of Johnson after becoming the first Tory MP in the Red Wall.
Read more: North East Conservative MPs react to Liz Truss's resignation
Hartlepool MP Jill Mortimer was the first to say she was backing Boris Johnson to make a shock return to Number 10, just hours after Liz Truss's resignation on Thursday.
On Friday Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and Levelling Up Secretary Simon Clarke also spoke out in support of the former PM, saying "We back Boris because when the chips are down, he gets the big decisions right".
It comes after Mr Johnson was forced to leave office after more than 60 of his ministers resigned in early July following a string of scandals including Partygate, with a row over former deputy chief whip Chris Pincher proving the final straw.
Mr Pincher resigned in late June after it was alleged he sexually assaulted two men. Days later, further allegations emerged, including that his behaviour had been reported to Number 10, but was ignored by Mr Johnson.
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Conservative MPs have just a few days to back their candidate for the second party leadership election in three months.
A sped-up process was announced by party chairman Jake Berry and Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 Committee of backbench MPs, following Liz Truss’s resignation on Thursday after six weeks in charge.
Prospective leaders will need the backing of 100 MPs before Conservative Party members will pick between the remaining candidates via an online vote next week.
Speaking at the same event as Mr Levy, Transport Secretary Anne Marie Trevelyan refused to answer questions on the leadership election.
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