Rishi Sunak appeals for Boris Johnson to join Tory campaign by heaping praise on former prime minister

Rishi Sunak has signalled the door is open for Boris Johnson to hit the campaign trail for the Tories.

There has been speculation that the former prime minister, still seen by many Conservatives as a strong campaigner, might help drum up support for the party ahead of the 4 July general election.

Asked whether it is time to bring back Mr Johnson on Friday (24 May), the prime minister said he would welcome “any Conservative to come and join the campaign”.

Speaking in Belfast as part of his campaign tour of the UK, Mr Sunak said: “When it comes to Boris he was of course the person who got Brexit done, ensured we had the fastest vaccine rollout in Europe and was the first to make sure that we provided support to Ukraine.”