Boris Johnson could be poised for a Donald Trump-style comeback, a former Tory Cabinet Minister has warned.
Ex-International Development Secretary Rory Stewart, who repeatedly clashed with Mr Johnson as Prime Minister, raised fears the outgoing Tory leader may make a fresh tilt for No10 if his successor flops.
Allies have suggested Mr Johnson is unlikely to slope off into the background when he quits office next Tuesday - fuelling claims he may fancy a second stint in Downing Street.
Mr Stewart compared the prospect to Mr Trump’s expected run for the White House in 2024 and Italian politician Silvio Berlusconi, who enjoyed two separate periods as PM.
He told Radio 4's Today programme: “I am afraid he [ Boris Johnson ] has an extraordinary ego and he believes that he was badly treated, he doesn’t see the reality, which is that he was a terrible Prime Minister and that he lost his job because of deep flaws of character.
"Yes, I fear we are going to end up with a second Berlusconi or a second Trump trying to rock back in again.”
Mr Stewart ran against Mr Johnson in the 2019 leadership election before being eliminated in one of the MP ballots.
He vowed he wouldn't serve under Mr Johnson and stood down as an MP at the 2019 election.
The outgoing PM was ousted after a massive Tory revolt but he refused to stand down before his successor had been appointed.
It comes amid reports Tory MPs are suffering from sellers' remorse as the vicious leadership contest between Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak comes to a close.
Some senior Conservatives are said to be unhappy with the contest and considering whether the outgoing PM is a better bet.
One former minister told the Sunday Times: “People have seen the alternatives now and they aren’t convinced.”
The Mirror has previously reported that insiders believe the lame-duck Tory leader is determined to make a comeback.
Mr Johnson is expected to use his final week in office to conduct a string of visits aimed at shoring up his legacy.
As well as the vanity tour, the outgoing PM is also reportedly considering a major speech around energy security.
