Boris Johnson told constituents that his ousting as Prime Minister was a “mistake” and hinted he could "rise again".
The ex-PM made it clear he thought his party was wrong to boot him from office over Partygate and sleaze scandals on a visit to Ruislip Synagogue on Monday night.
He also admitted that his wife Carrie voted for Matt Hancock on I’m a Celebrity.
An audience member told Jewish News: ”Boris used the ‘mistake’ word unprompted when asked by an audience member for his view now on the decision of his party to oust him.”
He was also said to have used the expression “if I rise again” during his conversation with about 40 members of the west London congregation.
It seems to refer to a John Donne poem which says: “Those that hurt him must take care of his healing and recompense him."
The reference could be a warning to the rebels who brought him down, including his then-Chancellor Rishi Sunak.
Mr Johnson also joked about his former Cabinet colleague Matt Hancock's appearance on I'm a Celeb - and said he wouldn’t follow in his dad Stanley Johnson’s footsteps by appearing on the the show.
He claimed he “couldn’t figure out” how to vote for Mr Hancock to take part in the show’s grisly Bushtucker trials.
But he added: “Carrie worked it out and managed to vote for him”.
Mr Johnson has frequently hinted at returning to power, telling the Commons “hasta la vista baby”, or “until next time” after his ousting in September.
The line was made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger's iconic use of the line in Terminator 2.
But some speculated that Mr Johnson may have been hinting at Schwarzenegger's other famous line from the Terminator: "I'll be back."
And in his leaving speech, the Old Etonian former premier likened himself to Cincinnatus, a figure who “returned to his plough” - the backbenches - before being called back to power as a Roman dictator.
Following Mr Johnson's final speech, historian Mary Beard pointed out Twitter that Cincinnatus was an opponent of the common citizens, named the plebeians, adding: "He was also an enemy of the people."
Boris Johnson ’s spokesperson declined to comment.
