A senior ally of Boris Johnson today said the “cross” Prime Minister could “maybe” try to stage a comeback.
Eddie Lister - a loyal aide who Mr Johnson gifted a Lords seat in 2020 - said the ousted PM will be “watching” what happens with Liz Truss in case “the ball comes loose in the scrum”.
It comes after the Sunday Mirror reported 12 Tory MPs plan to submit no-confidence letters in Liz Truss – set to become new PM on Monday – and want a leadership vote by Christmas.
One Tory said: “Liz is not very bright.” Another added: “Our only chance is with Boris.”
Asked if Mr Johnson could try to stage a comeback, Lord Lister told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday: “Maybe in the future.
“I’d never say never on anything with Boris Johnson, anything is possible in the future, but for now we have a new leader.”
Asked if Mr Johnson would give Ms Truss a chance but move if the “ball came loose” in the scrum - a phrase he once used of his own leadership ambitions - Lord Lister said: “He is an amazing person, he is full of energy, he works extremely hard.
“He is going to be watching all this and if something happens in the future, as you say if the ball comes loose in the scrum, then anything can happen.
“I’m not going to predict - all I’m saying is I would never write him off.”
Speaking to Times Radio he added: “He's not a Donald Trump, and yes, of course, he's cross about it, but he also recognises that he has to move on and there's other things out there.”
He added: “When people say 'will we ever come back?' I would say well, maybe.
“He is a very formidable operator. He is somebody who has proved, and been able to surprise people, time after time.”
It comes despite Mr Johnson writing a 1,600-word farewell article today saying: “This is the moment for every Conservative to come together - and back that new leader wholeheartedly.”
Any rebellion was branded insane by other Tories. One told the Sunday Mirror: “This is madness. The country won’t wear 160,000 Conservative members choosing another PM, especially a retread. We’ll end up with a general election.”
Ex-Chancellor Philip Hammond dismissed the idea of a Johnson comeback as “fantasy”.
In a devastating verdict, the ex-Tory MP told Sky: “I think Boris has not been a good prime minister.
“I think he's damaged the office of prime minister, I think he's damaged the Tory party.
"I think Boris will no doubt have a very successful career in other fields in the future and I think he should move on and put aside any idea of hanging like a malevolent shadow over the next government.
"He needs to let the new prime minister get on with his or her job and make it clear that he's moved on as well."
Labour MP Nick Thomas-Symonds told the show: "It really does show the depths to which the Conservative Party has sunk and the fact they are so tired after 12 years in office.
"That they've just ousted a leader after his flagrant disregard for Covid rules, after he showed, time and again, it was one rule for him and another rule for the rest of the population.
"It really does show now the Conservative Party has completely lost its way if they are saying credibly that they want to get rid of one leader, then try to have a leadership contest with others, then try and bring the other leader back."
It came as a poll claimed the majority of people who voted Tory in 2019 think likely PM Liz Truss is out-of-touch and untrustworthy.
Opinium’s survey rated her at -12% on being “in touch with ordinary people” and -2% on being “trustworthy”.
Meanwhile refugees minister Lord Harrington quit his role - but insisted it was “not a political statement”.
He said: “I'm very pleased to remain as an advisor. I just don't think it needs the seven day a week concentrated political ministerial involvement."
