Boris Johnson and his allies are plotting a return to Number 10 before the next election if Liz Truss “implodes” as Prime Minister, the Sunday Mirror has been told.
A well-placed Westminster insider claims the lame-duck Tory leader is determined to make a comeback.
He and his supporters are said to be “delusional” about his prospects of winning another General Election - after his popularity tanked in the polls.
But the source said a disastrous first few months of a Liz Truss premiership would be seen as an opportunity for him to swoop in.
And a second, Conservative Party source said: “I think that could well intensify if things go badly for Liz - you get people thinking 'Would he have been any worse?'
"She's got strikes coming up, energy bills, inflation the whole lot."
The PM is said to believe if Ms Truss doesn’t quickly “get a grip” on looming crises Tory MPs would welcome his return as a “winner” who can save the party from election oblivion.
"It sounds far-fetched but I wouldn't put it past him. He feels hard done by and thinks he still had a lot to do,” the source added.
“Covid really stopped any big projects or any governing at all really so he'd like a clear run and a chance to make amends.
“Although he wouldn't call it making amends because as far as he's concerned he's not done anything wrong.”
A Labour source said: “This sort of scheming shows just how out of touch the Tories are and why we need a fresh start with a Labour government.
“ Boris Johnson has had his chance and he’s been rejected by his party and the public.
“Boris Johnson should be focused on the cost of living crisis in the country but this sort of plotting shows he’s only interested in himself.”
It comes after weeks of manoeuvring by Mr Johnson’s most trusted allies - and mounting speculation over his future.
Friends of the PM see the forthcoming Commons Privileges Committee inquiry into whether Mr Johnson lied to MPs as the biggest obstacle in the way of his return to power.
This week key supporters including Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries have called for the probe to be scrapped, claiming it will be “rigged” and a “witch-hunt” and urging Tory MPs on the committee to quit.
Meanwhile, Mr Johnson is reportedly taking legal advice ahead of the probe - with his team said to have all but given up hope of avoiding censure if it goes ahead.
A Tory source said: “The biggest danger for him is the inquiry. It could be a by-election that would see him kicked out.
“I think that's the only way you could ever truly rule out some sort of comeback. I would say a comeback is possible rather than probable."
Ms Dorries is said to be in line for a peerage in Mr Johnson’s resignation honours list - due for publication in the coming weeks.
Downing Street declined to comment.
