Former UK PM Boris Johnson pulls out of leadership race to replace Liz Truss

LONDON — Former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson will not stand in the leadership contest to replace outgoing leader Liz Truss.

Despite being ousted from office just three months ago, some Conservative MPs had backed Johnson for the top job, and he reportedly told allies over the last couple of days that he would formally join the contest.

Former culture secretary and close Johnson ally Nadine Dorries tweeted Thursday that he was the only MP with "a mandate from party members and the British public," having won the 2019 General Election.

Johnson previously enjoyed high levels of popularity until losing credibility in the final months of his premiership amid political scandal around Covid-19 rule-breaking and his links to disgraced MP Chris Pincher.

In his parting speech he alluded to a future return to office with the words: "Hasta la vista, baby" or "see you later."

British Prime Minister Liz Truss resigned Thursday, bringing to a close a brief 44-day tenure mired by "mini-budget" chaos, economic turmoil and weeks of political infighting.

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