Following Boris Johnson’s withdrawal from the race to replace Liz Truss, there are questions about what the ex-prime minister does next.
In the coming weeks Mr Johnson still faces a misconduct investigation by the Privileges Committee, which is set to begin hearing evidence from witnesses as it decides whether he misled MPs over the Partygate scandal.
The panel may recommend suspending the 58-year-old from the House of Commons, which could spark a recall petition and by-election in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency.
However, Rishi Sunak, who is favourite to become the UK’s 57th Prime Minister, has indicated that if he elected Tory leader on Monday he could offer his former boss a position in his Government.
The ex-chancellor told BBC’s Westminster Hour: “I truly hope [Mr Johnson] continues to contribute to public life at home and abroad.”
Tory MP Steve Brine, who supported Mr Sunak, did not rule out the possibility of Mr Johnson taking an ambassadorial position.
He said: “What Rishi will not do is repeat the mistake of the two (former) prime ministers and double down and only appoint his friends and those who supported him.
“It would be across the board, I’m sure.”
Mr Johnson has extensive overseas experience, having been foreign secretary under Theresa May from July 2016 to June 2018.
He is also set to make thousands on the after dinner speaking circuit.
Shortly after he left No10, the Office Of Boris Johnson Ltd was registered on Companies House.
He established the private company to support him while using up to £115,000 a year in public funds he is entitled to as a former PM.
The company will not do commercial business and will solely function as a private office to support him as a former prime minister, a source said.
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A departure from politics is also possible for the now backbench MP, who has been dogged by scandal throughout his political career.
Some have suggested that he could return to journalism, where he first made his name as a Conservative commentator before editing The Spectator.
However, Mr Johnson has not ruled out emulating his political hero Winston Churchill and one day making a triumphant comeback to Downing Street,
In a statement on Sunday night announcing he was dropping out of the race to replace Ms Truss, he said he was “well placed to deliver a Conservative victory in 2024”, but it was “simply not the right time” for him to return to No10.
