Jacob Rees-Mogg says he WON’T stand to replace Theresa May – as feuding Tory Brexiteers turn on each other after coup flop
The top Brexiteer suggested he would back Boris Johnson instead of standing himself
JACOB Rees-Mogg today ruled himself out as a replacement for Theresa May - and backed Boris Johnson instead.
The top Brexiteer joked that if he put his hat in the ring it would be "thrown back" at him like Bond villain Oddjob.
And he suggested that Boris would make a better PM because he "makes politics interesting and has the qualities of leadership".
Mr Rees-Mogg's comments came as his allies in the European Research Group turned on each other in the wake of the failed coup against the PM.
, Mr Rees-Mogg defended his decision to call for a vote of no confidence in Mrs May.
He admitted: "It was naive of me to expect the Prime Minister to change her policy. It is not how it works - the wrong policy means the wrong person."
But he added: "If there were a leadership election, which I hope there will be, I would not throw my hat into the ring as I fear it would be thrown back ‘Oddjob’ style."
The ERG chair hinted he would end up supporting Boris, saying that Tory activists are enthusiastic about the prospect of the ex-Foreign Secretary taking power.
Mr Rees-Mogg wrote: "He certainly makes politics interesting and has the qualities of leadership."
A week ago today, the leading Brexiteer announced he had sent a letter to backbench chief Sir Graham Brady calling for Mrs May to go.
But the revelation failed to spark the expected cascade of letters which would have forced a vote of confidence in the PM.
Last night, ERG member Nadine Dorries blasted her Brexiteer allies who failed to join the revolt against Mrs May.
In a furious WhatsApp message , she wrote: "There are a handful of you who have badly let the ERG down as a group, opening us up to ridicule and abuse in the media and online.
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"I am referring to those MPs who have not put their letters in.
"It is being said that you have let the side down and are not the type of people anyone would want to go into battle with."
The Brexiteer rebels are now pinning their hopes on a fresh push for a leadership challenge next month, after the PM's deal is voted on by MPs.
Boris earns £800 a minute giving speech to finance firm
BORIS Johnson earned almost £800 a minute giving a speech to a finance firm in New York, it emerged last night.
The former Foreign Secretary raked in a staggering £95,000 for the two hour talk which comes on top of his £23,000 a month salary for a Daily Telegraph column and his £77,379 a year MP’s salary.
He was addressing the US Golden Tree Asset Management firm in the Big Apple earlier this month.
Mr Johnson also took in a £50,000 donation for his office and staffing costs.
And he pocketed a further £9,500 in royalties from his books.
The figures came from the MP’s official register of interests.
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