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Boris Johnson could still be next Prime Minster, says David Cameron

 

 

The Prime Minister also said Boris Johnson was ‘on the wrong side’ of the Brexit debate

David Cameron has said Boris Johnson could succeed him as Prime Minister when he steps down before the next general election.

When asked whether he stood by his previous suggestion Mr Johnson, George Osborne and Theresa May were all figures who could succeed him, the Prime Minister said he still sees the former London mayor as a “substantial” figure in the Conservative Party.

The Prime Minister also said he felt Mr Johnson was “on the wrong side” of the Brexit debate.

Mr Johnson previously dismissed key arguments put forward by Mr Cameron as “nonsense” or “a hoax”.

Speaking at the G7 summit in Japan, the Prime Minister said: “I wouldn’t withdraw any of the things I’ve said. The Conservative Party is lucky to have big substantial figures within it and that’s certainly the case.”

“But on this one, I think he is on the wrong side. I think that the arguments for Britain being stronger in the world, more able to get things done, being safer against terrorism, and – crucially – having the strong growing economy that we want, being able to trade inside a market of 500 million people and to reach out and trade with the rest of the world – that’s what we should be focusing on.

“So I think he’s got this one wrong, but I’m not changing anything I’ve said in the past.”

When asked if he could ever trust Mr Johnson with a senior Government job after arguing with him in the referendum battle, he said: “This campaign was always going to produce passionate arguments and disagreements between people on the opposing sides and I’m not surprised by that.

“I’m going to spend the next 30 days focusing purely on the issues, the arguments and not anything else. That’s the way I’m going to approach it.”

In March 2015, Mr Cameron named the Uxbridge and South Ruislip MP as a possible successor when he revealead he will not seek a third term as Prime Minister, telling the BBC: “There definitely comes a time where a fresh pair of eyes and fresh leadership would be good.

“The Conservative party has got some great people coming up – the Theresa Mays and the George Osbornes and the Boris Johnsons. There is plenty of talent there. I am surrounded by very good people.”