Jeremy Hunt has set his sights on No10 and is trying to drum up support among his party colleagues to back him as the ‘stop Boris’ Brexiteer candidate, according to reports.
The Health Secretary is said to have sounded out possible donors to back him for a run at the leadership if Theresa May goes.
Eurosceptic Tories say he is trying to win over their support by pitching himself as an alternative to Mr Johnson as the Brexiteer choice.
He is said to be trying to cash on Mr Johnson’s falling popularity after the Foreign Secretary made a gaffe which could land a British mother with five more years in an Iranian prison.
The Foreign Secretary’s blunders have fuelled a search to find other possible leadership contenders who are committed to delivering the Leave vote.
Jeremy Hunt, pictured in Parliament for the budget earlier this week, is said to be drumming up support among Tory MPs and donors to take a run at the Tory leadership if Theresa May goes
One eurosceptic power reportedly Mr Hunt has been lobbying MPs and ministers making it clear that ‘Boris is sinking and [Michael] Gove is non-viable.’
While Mr Hunt backed Remain in the campaign he has since said he would change his ballot and vote for Brexit if the contest was rerun.
One eurosceptic power told the Sunday Times: ‘It’s clear that Hunt is in the game and that more and more people are moving in his direction,’ one said.
‘He’s making very clear that he has changed his mind on Brexit.
‘He’s been putting himself around to ministers, MPs and donors, making clear that he’s someone with a business background, he’s pro-leave, Boris is sinking and [Michael] Gove is non-viable.
The Health Secretary is said to have been making it clear to potential backers that Boris Johnson’s chances of being leader are sinking fast after a series of gaffes, while fellow Brexiteer Michael Gove is not a viable choice after his il-fated run at the top job last year
Theresa May, pictured with her husband Philip at church today, has had a torrid few weeks in government after losing two cabinet ministers in just seven days, facing the possibility of defeat over the Brexit Bill and seeing her part caught up in the sex harassment scdnal
‘The leavers might go for him as a way of stopping Amber and co.
‘He’s getting some traction. A periscope has stuck up above the sea on this subject over the past month.’
An aide to a Brexiteer minister added: ‘Jeremy has been supporting Boris and Michael in cabinet, arguing that more preparations are needed for Brexit.
‘At conference he was dropping into conversation that he would vote leave if there was another referendum.’
Speculation over Mrs May’s leadership had died down from the feverish heights of the summer.
But after a torrid few weeks in which her party was engulfed by the Westminster sex harassment scandal and she lost two Cabinet ministers in seven days,, speculation has reignited.
And the Brexit-wing of the Tories will be determined to ensure that someone committed to quitting the EU takes over the helm.
Other rumoured contenders such as Home Secretary Amber Rudd and Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson are both outspoken Remain supporters.