Former Health Minister Sajid Javid is seriously considering a nomination to head the Conservative Party, Bloomberg reported, citing a source he named as an insider.
A source said several Conservative MPs had contacted Javid to urge him to run and Javid decided to talk to colleagues before making any decision.
The source added that Javid is not yet on the campaign trail following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s decision to step down.
Johnson, 58, announced he would step down after a series of resignations this week from his government team in protest of his leadership, stressing that he would remain as prime minister until a replacement is elected.
“The process of selecting a new leader must begin now,” Johnson told the cabinet. He added: “Today I appointed an acting government and will continue my work until a new leader is elected.”
Conservative MPs said Johnson should be replaced immediately rather than allowed to run until the fall.
Notably, Sajid Javid became Britain’s first minority home secretary after he was appointed to succeed the outgoing Amber Rudd in 2018. Javid was also Minister of Local Government and Housing. In the Johnson government, he took over as health secretary before resigning last Tuesday in protest of Johnson’s policies and leadership style.
Source: Bloomberg+RT