Amber Rudd says that Conservative MPs should not put their faith in Boris Johnson’s blind Brexit “optimism” and will back Jeremy Hunt tomorrow to become the party’s next leader and prime minister.
Giving her critical and much sought-after endorsement in The Times, Ms Rudd contrasts Mr Johnson with his successor at the Foreign Office, arguing that Mr Hunt is a “serious leader” for “serious times”.
“It is not enough to be told to shut your eyes, cross your fingers, pick up some magic beans and believe in Britain,” she writes. “We need a skilled negotiator and deal-maker, not an instruction for more optimism.”
Ms Rudd’s choice of Mr Hunt is a setback to Mr Johnson because she is a pivotal party figure and co-leader of…
