Boris Johnson ‘woos DUP kingmakers’ ahead of Tory leadership battle
The top Tory - who is in the favourite to become the next PM after Theresa May steps down - reportedly had talks with Arlene Foster and Nigel Dodds earlier this week
BORIS Johnson has been trying to woo the DUP this week ahead of a battle to win the leadership crown, it has emerged.
The top Tory - who is in the favourite to become the next PM after Theresa May steps down - reportedly had talks with Arlene Foster and Nigel Dodds earlier this week, The Times revealed today.
But Mr Johnson's team insisted it was not a formal meeting and the Brexiteers simply bumped into each other briefly.
The PM is facing repeated calls to step down now as she still can't get a Brexit deal over the line, despite three attempts.
Instead she's had to beg the EU for a second extension to Article 50 until October.
Cross-party talks with Labour are ongoing but not producing any tangible results yet.
The paper revealed that Boris, members of his team, and the two top DUP MPs met for 40 minutes on Wednesday.
Prospective Tory leadership candidates have made it clear they are willing to try and court the Northern Irish party in the past - which give Mrs May her majority in Parliament.
David Davis and Dominic Raab have in the past tried to ally themselves with them.
Earlier this week Mr Dodds warned the PM against extending the current session of Parliament - for which she can guarantee their support.
A new session is meant to be declared in weeks, but there's a high chance the DUP might not be willing to back her again if her deal goes through.
Mrs May refused to rule it out in the Commons.
The news came as the Daily Mail revealed that Tory party chiefs are gearing up for a summer leadership contest in preparation for the PM quitting.
Officials are drawing up plans for hustings events across the country in the coming months including scouting for locations, the paper said.
Senior sources said at least six events were being planned for, when the leadership battle is whittled down to the final two.
The PM has yet to name a date that she will quit as PM, but has said she will go after a Brexit deal is passed.
But fuming Tories say she should go now and her days are numbered after the humiliation she's caused to Britain.
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