Boris Johnson's withdrawal statement in full as he quits race for No 10

23 October 2022, 22:28 | Updated: 24 October 2022, 13:19

Boris Johnson tonight ended his bid to make an audacious return to Downing Street, setting Rishi Sunak on course to become prime minister.

In a message to journalists just after 9pm, Johnson wrote: 'In the last few days I have been overwhelmed by the number of people who suggested that I should once again contest the Conservative Party leadership, both among the public and among friends and colleagues in Parliament.

'I have been attracted because I led our party into a massive election victory less than three years ago - and I believe I am therefore uniquely placed to avert a general election now.

'A general election would be a further disastrous distraction just when the government must focus on the economic pressures faced by families across the country.

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'I believe I am well placed to deliver a Conservative victory in 2024 - and tonight I can confirm that I have cleared the very high hurdle of 102 nominations, including a proposer and a seconder, and I could put my nomination in tomorrow. 

'There is a very good chance that I would be successful in the election with Conservative Party members - and that I could indeed be back in Downing Street on Friday.

'But in the course of the last days I have sadly come to the conclusion that this would simply not be the right thing to do.

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'You can't govern effectively unless you have a united party in Parliament.

'And though I have reached out to both Rishi and Penny - because I hoped that we could come together in the national interest - we have sadly not been able to work out a way of doing this.

'Therefore I am afraid the best thing is that I do not allow my nomination to go forward and commit my support to whoever succeeds.

'I believe I have much to offer but I am afraid that this is simply not the right time.'

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