At least five UK Cabinet ministers are pushing for Boris Johnson to topple Theresa May as Conservative party leader and Prime Minister, one of his close allies said on Sunday but the foreign secretary denied any plans of a coup.
Pressure has been building up on May to step down after a disastrous election result for the Tories, which saw the ruling party's majority slashed and being forced to cobble together a minority government with the support of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
“A handful of senior people have pledged their loyalty to Boris at Cabinet level,” a Johnson ally told 'The Sunday Times'.
“He has been inundated with messages of support... We need a Brexiteer. Boris is the only option with the liberal values, Brexit credentials and popular appeal,” he added.
But Johnson reacted to media speculation on Twitter by dismissing any rebellion: “I am backing Theresa May. let's get on with the job.”