Dominic Cummings has claimed that Boris Johnson is backing ‘human grenade’ Liz Truss to become the next prime minister as he ‘thinks it will blow and he can come back’. The British leader has refused to say who he is backing in the race for Number 10 after being forced to quit his party. But his former top aide claims he is favoring the foreign minister over her rival Rishi Sunak, whose resignation triggered his downfall. Posting an extract from his blog, Mr Cummings said Ms Truce took his unpleasant nickname for her, “the human grenade”, as a compliment as she “gets things done”. He went on to say that he meant to imply that he “caused chaos”. Using the usual shopping cart emoji to refer to Mr Johnson, he said: “Why [is Boris Johnson] supporting the human grenade? “Cos knows she’s crazy and thinks she’ll blow and might come back. Why did I give her that nickname? Because it blows up everything it touches.” It is one of a number of attacks on Ms Truss by Mr Cummings, which has fueled speculation that he favors Mr Sunak, who has denied taking advice from him. To view this video, please enable JavaScript and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Johnson supporter Nadine Dorris previously told the Daily Mail: “People have to ask themselves: why is Cummings supporting Rishi? “The answer to that question is because Cummings thinks he can control Rishi and sees a role for himself back in government, and that’s very scary.” It comes after Mr Johnson told MPs “mission – largely accomplished, for now” in his signature speech during the final Prime Minister’s Questions. In a nod to the Terminator, he also said “hasta la vista baby”, a line made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger – whose character was also known for saying “I’ll be back”. A friend of the Tory leader is reported to have claimed he “genuinely believes he will be back”. Another told the Mirror he had been “misled” but confirmed he wanted to return to the office. Winston Churchill’s hero served a second term in office six years after being ousted after World War II. Johnson’s closest allies – including Jacob Rees-Mogg and Nadine Dorries – have backed Mr Truss, with viewers suggesting he is also likely to favor her. To view this video, please enable JavaScript and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Around 180,000 Tory members will now decide which of the two candidates will lead Britain after Tory MPs voted out Penny Mordant in the final round of voting this afternoon. Ms Truss promised “a clear vision for our country and our economy – and the experience and determination to deliver it”. Meanwhile, Mr Sunak – who has been criticized for being out of touch – claimed that “working people up and down the country would rather have a prime minister with a long-term plan, one who doesn’t just bend with the wind”. The former chancellor was the favorite with Tory MPs, winning 137 votes in the final round to Mrs Truss’ 113. However, bookies have Mrs Truss as favourite, after early indications showed she has the most support among the crucial electorate that will make the final decision. Metro.co.uk has contacted Downing Street and Mrs Truss for comment. Contact our news team by emailing us at [email protected] For more stories like this, check out our news page.
