Outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson may not be out of a job after September 5 if Nadhim Zahawi succeeds him as the new Prime Minister.
Mr Zahawi, one of the eight Tories who has made it on the first ballot, said he will offer Mr Johnson a job in his cabinet "if he wishes to serve".
Only a few weeks ago Mr Johnson was heard complaining to reporters that journalists make more money than politicians on an overseas trip.
The pair are understood to have known each other for around 30 years, with Mr Zahawi routinely appearing on media rounds to back Mr Johnson's leadership.
Mr Zahawi told LBC: "If he wishes to serve in cabinet he has been probably the most consequential prime minister in history. He's delivered Brexit, he got us through a global pandemic..."
The former Education Secretary was loyal to Mr Johnson until the very end of the outgoing PM's leadership.
Hours after accepting his new role in Mr Johnson's caretaker Government, Mr Zahawi stabbed Mr Johnson in the back and urged him to resign.
In a bid to further distance himself from Mr Johnson's crumbling premiership, Mr Zahawi told Brits he would not quit his Government position because the role is too important.
