Boris Johnson, the frontrunner to become prime minister of the U.K. after David Cameron announced he would step down, said June 30 he would not seek the office, reports the Associated Press.
Known for his eccentricity, obvious ambition, and strange blond hairstyle, Johnson was a vocal proponent of the campaign to leave the European Union, and the triumph of Brexit at the polls made him an obvious next choice to head the Conservative Party in Parliament.
According to the Associated Press:
In a morning of political machinations and mutterings of treachery that had commentators reaching for Shakespearean parallels, Justice Secretary Michael Gove abruptly withdrew his support for Johnson and announced he was running for the Conservative Party leadership himself.
…"Having consulted colleagues and in view of the circumstances in Parliament, I have concluded that person cannot be me," [Johnson] said, to the astonishment of journalists and supporters in the room.
…Home Secretary Theresa May, Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb, Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom and former Defense Secretary Liam Fox are also in the race.
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