The political drama in the United Kingdom continues as former PM Boris Johnson pulls out of the Prime Ministerial race, hours after his backers claimed that Johnson has gathered the support of 100 MPs required to contest in the PM race. 

Following Johnson’s pull-out, his arch-rival from the Conservative Party, Rishi Sunak, is the favourite to become UK’s next PM. 

When Liz Truss announced her resignation as PM, Johnson was holidaying in the Dominican Republic. Sensing the opportunity to run for the position again, the 58-year-old Tory flew back in a private jet and started gathering support for his bid for the PM’s post. 

Also read: Boris Johnson wants Rishi Sunak to stand down from UK PM race: Report

His backing off from the race reportedly comes in the backdrop of multiple Tory MPs threatening that his return could ultimately break the party. 

“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,” a statement from Johnson on Sunday said.

“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.” 

The 58-year-old said that it is important for the country to avoid a general elections as it would be a distraction from the serious economic crisis UK is facing now. 

Also read: Rishi Sunak qualifies UK PM race, Boris Johnson still ‘up for it’

He added that he is “well-placed to deliver a Conservative victory in 2014 and confirmed that he has cleared the “very high hurdle of 102 nominations, including a proposer”, which would allow him to successfully file his nomination on Monday. 

“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. You can’t govern effectively unless you have a united party in parliament,” he added.