Boris Johnson’s bid for Tory leadership gathers momentum

At least 10 MPs have publicly backed Johnson. Photograph: Ben Stevens/Rex/ShutterstockBoris Johnson’s leadership campaign was gathering steam on Thursday, amid deep concern among centrist Conservatives that a Brexit hardliner is on the brink of becoming prime minister. The former foreign secretary gained two significant endorsements – Johnny Mercer, who had been considered a leadership hopeful himself, and Gavin Williamson, the former defence secretary – with more poised to mak