![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/boris-johnson-had-enough-support-to-challenge-rishi-sunak-in-leadership-race-confirms-1922-chair/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/TELEMMGLPICT000313866012_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqpVlberWd9EgFPZtcLiMQf0Rf_Wk3V23H2268P_XkPxc.jpeg&description=Boris Johnson did indeed have enough support to challenge Rishi Sunak in the Conservative leadership election, the chair of the 1922 Committee confirmed. Candidates required 100 MP backers last month to be considered as the next prime minister, but just hours before the deadline Mr Johnson pulled out. When the only other candidate - Penny Mordaunt - pulled out with a minute to spare having seemingly not reached the threshold, it left Rishi Sunak to be crowned as prime minister without a vote by Conservative members. Now, Sir Graham Brady has confirmed former prime minister Mr Johnson's claim that he had enough MPs to mount a challenge. When Mr Johnson dropped out of the Tory leadership race, he claimed he had the nominations needed to make it on to the ballot paper but could not unite the party. Speaking to the BBC, Sir Graham - chair of the Tory party's 1922 Committee - said "two candidates" had reached the threshold, and "one of them decided not to then submit his nomination". Sir Graham also spoke about his experiences meeting with Liz Truss and Mr Johnson at separate stages this year to tell them they no longer commanded majority support from their MPs. He told BBC North West Tonight that Ms Truss had "come to the same conclusion" as him regarding the untenable status of her premiership, while Mr Johnson was "still determined to go on" the night before he announced his resignation. After Mr Sunak was made PM uncontested, Mr Johnson tweeted: "Congratulations to Rishi Sunak on this historic day, this is the moment for every Conservative to give our new PM their full and wholehearted support." The former premier offered his congratulations a day later than messages from outgoing PM Ms Truss and Mr Sunak's fellow leadership hopeful, Penny Mordaunt. In his speech, Mr Sunak said he will "always be grateful" to Mr Johnson for his "incredible achievements" in No 10. He pledged to deliver on the Conservative 2019 manifesto, insisting Mr Johnson would agree it is not "t){kind=link}
Sir Graham Brady says ‘two candidates’ had reached the threshold, but ‘one of them decided not to then submit his nomination’
Boris Johnson did have enough support to challenge Rishi Sunak in the Conservative leadership election, the chairman of the 1922 Committee has confirmed.
Candidates required 100 MP backers last month to be considered as the next prime minister, but just hours before the deadline Mr Johnson pulled out.
When the only other candidate – Penny Mordaunt – pulled out with a minute to spare having seemingly not reached the threshold, it left Rishi Sunak to be crowned as prime minister without a vote by Conservative members.
Now, Sir Graham Brady has confirmed former prime minister Mr Johnson’s claim that he had enough MPs to mount a challenge.