'Of course I'm going for it': Boris Johnson says he WILL stand for Tory leader after months of preening, a leadership makeover masterminded by his new girlfriend, 30
- Boris Johnson has confirmed he will join battle for the Conservative leadership
- Theresa May is under intense pressure to give a firm date for her departure
- Mr Johnson told business conference in Manchester that he is 'going for it'
Boris Johnson today confirmed he will join the battle to be the next Tory leader - as Theresa May faces being ousted potentially within weeks.
The former foreign secretary confirmed he was 'going for it' as he was grilled during an appearance at a business conference in Manchester.
Mr Johnson has been effectively running a shadow campaign for months, after resigning from the government in protest at Theresa May's Chequers plan for Brexit.
But until now he has not publicly confirmed his intentions.
Speaking at the insurance brokers' conference this afternoon, Mr Johnson said: 'Of course I'm going to go for it.'
According to sources he added that 'it's no great secret' 'but at present there is no vacancy'.
Mr Johnson has undergone a dramatic makeover in recent months as the end of Theresa May's rein became apparent.
It has drawn widespread comment, with many speculating that it is the work of his girlfriend and PR executive Carrie Symonds, 30.
Speaking at the insurance brokers' conference this afternoon, Boris Johnson (left) said: 'Of course I'm going to go for it.'
Mr Johnson has been effectively running a shadow campaign for months, after resigning from the government in protest at Theresa May's Chequers plan for Brexit
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Sources tried to play down the words by insisting Mr Johnson was only saying he will stand if there is a vacancy - with Mrs May yet to announce her formal departure date.
The BBC's Huw Edwards, who was hosting the conference, revealed his remarks on Twitter.
The PM is under intense pressure to say when she will stand down amid Tory fury over her attempts to get a Brexit deal through.
Mr Johnson is one of the front runners among a crowded field, with Home Secretary Sajid Javid, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, and ex-Brexit secretary Dominic Raab also gearing up their campaigns.
Johnson was widely expected to run for the Conservative leadership in the aftermath of the Brexit vote in 2016 but his campaign collapsed before he announced he was standing when ally Michael Gove withdrew support amid claims he could not unite the party.
Two weeks later he was made foreign secretary, but resigned from the cabinet last July in protest at May's handling of the exit negotiations.
Since then he has become a prominent critic of her Brexit policy and an increasingly outspoken proponent of leaving without a deal if necessary.
The former Mayor of London was widely expected to run and set out his pitch to the Conservative membership in a speech at the party's annual conference last October.
His announcement, which comes after months of quiet campaigning, gives notice to the other candidates planning to stand against him.
Tory rules mean that MPs will whittle a fields of candidates down to two before putting it to a leadership vote of party members.
There is already talk of several ministers running as 'stop Boris' candidate.
The Uxbridge MP is very popular with the rank and file but less so with his parliamentary colleagues so they hope to get another Brexiteer into the final two.
Mr Johnson has undergone a dramatic makeover in recent months as the end of Theresa May's rein became apparent.
Burgeoning romance: Mr Johnson's makeover has drawn widespread comment in recent months, with many speculating it is the work of his girlfriend Carrie Symonds, 30, pictured
Stylish chop: Mr Johnson's signature style (as seen right just last month) has been replaced with a neater look (in March, left). Stylist Lucas Armitage said it could have cost up to £60
From slapdash to flash! Mr Johnson was known for his floppy hairstyle and somewhat 'slapdash' appearance. Pictured, the politician out for a run in October 2016
Theresa May (pictured arriving at Parliament today) is under intense pressure to say when she will stand down amid Tory fury over her attempts to get a Brexit deal through
It has drawn widespread comment, with many speculating that it is the work of his girlfriend and PR executive Carrie Symonds, 30.
His trademark mop of blonde hair has become a more manageable mane and the keen runner and cyclist has managed to lose a noticeable amount of weight.
Mr Johnson has spoken previously of how he has lost more than 12lbs by quitting alcohol and 'late-night binges of chorizo and cheese'.
