Boris Johnson was reportedly booed as he boarded a flight to the UK. The former prime minister is preparing a bid to lead the country again just weeks after he was forced to resign from Downing Street, according to reports.
Mr Johnson had been on holiday in the Dominican Republic for two weeks but was pictured last night flying to London Gatwick Airport in economy with British Airways. The Uxbridge and South Ruislip MP boarded the plane with his wife Carrie and children before other passengers were allowed to get on, according to Sky reporter Mark Stone.
He reported that several passengers looked "slightly bewildered" and that there were a few boos, adding: "Mr Johnson is sitting in economy, quite near the back of the plane, with his wife and children.
Read next: Fellow economy passengers were positioning themselves for selfies
"He's in a suit, his head forward, deep in thought, but moments before that one of his children was climbing on top of him — a family coming back from their holidays."
Mr Stone said the former PM and his family had approached Gate 25 of Punta Cana airport and been escorted to an area separated from the regular boarding zone by a glass partition. "He wouldn't have heard the few pantomime boos from others waiting to board the flight," the reporter added.
"Is the fact that he's sitting at the back of the plane, in economy, a hint of his intentions? Man of the people? Business and premium were not full, and he'd have known he'd be snapped. Fellow economy passengers were positioning themselves for selfies. It's a reminder that — love him or loathe him — Mr Johnson has star quality."
The reporter said Mr Johnson was shielded at the back of the plane by close protection officers. It comes after Conservative MP Sir James Duddridge said that Mr Johnson was planning a Tory leadership bid and had told him: "I'm going to do it, Dudders!"
Mr Johnson stepped down just six weeks ago amid a series of scandals including Partygate and the Chris Pincher allegations. He is one of three frontrunners in the leadership race — alongside Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt — which is set to conclude within a week.
If he is to progress to a vote among Tory members, he will need the backing of 100 Tory MPs. One Johnson ally has told Sky News that the Mr Johnson has a "firm 67" nominations.
A friend of Mr Johnson told the Mirror on Friday night: “He’s Whatsapping MPs saying, ‘I’m flying back. We’re going to do this, I’m up for it.’” You can read more of the latest politics news here.
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