Boris Johnson will be a “permanent nightmare” for the new prime minister, Lord William Hague has warned amid the latter stages of the Conservative Party’s leadership contest.
He claimed it is “already apparent” that Mr Johnson wants “revenge” on Rishi Sunak, whose resignation as chancellor triggered a ministerial exodus – leading to the Cabinet revolting against the PM to oust him.
Lord Hague, who led the party between 1997 and 2001, suggested that Liz Truss – Mr Sunak’s rival for the top job – will also face an “identical problem” if she is the one chosen next week by 160,000 party members to become prime minister.
Mr Johnson will be a “bundle of resentment, denial, attention-seeking and attempted vindication that will be a permanent nightmare for the new prime minister,” he said.
Lord Hague’s remarks come after the first head-to-head debate between Ms Truss and Mr Sunak.
After the pair trashed each other’s economic ideas, upbringing, and outfits in a BBC debate, Lord Fowler – who served under Margaret Thatcher – warned that such rows will see the return of the “nasty party” reputation.
