Boris Johnson's wife 'against leadership bid'
2 min read
Boris Johnson's wife is reportedly urging the Foreign Secretary not to launch a bid to succeed Theresa May.
Mr Johnson had been among the favourites to become Prime Minister after the EU referendum, but opted not to run after Michael Gove withdrew his support and decided to run himself.
The Times reports a friend of the family saying that Marina Wheeler, who is an eminent lawyer, does not want her husband subjected to the "extra scrutiny" that a campaign for the top job would entail.
Ms Wheeler has rarely entered the political fray, although she did write an article prior to the referendum campaign warning about the "growing reach" of EU legislation and the "muscle-flexing" of the European Court of Justice.
'KERFUFFLE'
Mr Johnson yesterday played down any talk of a leadership bid, telling reporters in New Zealand that the public did not want "any more political kerfuffle".
“What the British people want to see is a government that gets on with the job and they’ve got that with Theresa," he added.
Elsewhere Defence Secretary Michael Fallon appeared to hint that Mrs May's days at No 10 could be numbered.
Sir Michael told the Sydney Morning Herald he was not contemplating a run himself, saying: “Absolutely not. I’ve never considered that. We have a prime minister and I want to see her, as she is doing, being loyally supported at the moment.”
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