Jeremy Hunt says he ‘dodged a bullet’ by not beating Boris Johnson in the Tory party leadership race
Jeremy Hunt is asked about missing out to Boris Johnson in the race to become PM. Photograph: Sky. - Credit: Archant
Jeremy Hunt has claimed he 'dodged a bullet' by not beating Boris Johnson to the job of Conservative Party leader.
The former health minister ran against Johnson in the competition to replace Theresa May last year, but now suggests he is relieved that he did not win the job.
Speaking to Sky News, he explained: 'I've certainly dodged a bullet, there's no question when you look at the year that poor Boris has had.
'It's been a very tough year for anyone who was prime minister, there's absolutely no question about it.
You may also want to watch:
'To deal with a pandemic is completely unprecedented. I would have loved to have done the job but I recognise that Boris Johnson did something very important which is he got an 80 seat majority for the Conservatives.
Most Read
- 1 Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid reject Boris Johnson's coronavirus claim
- 2 Nigel Farage reminded of claim that 'acid test of Brexit' surrounds fishing after clip resurfaces
- 3 Sky News presenter says Boris Johnson is 'gaslighting the nation' over Covid claims
- 4 Pro-Brexit fishing campaigner says Boris Johnson's deal has left her with 'no fish'
- 5 PMQs: Boris Johnson calls for apology from Keir Starmer over coronavirus stances
- 6 Home Office launches voluntary repatriation scheme for EU nationals
- 7 European parliament agrees to add British overseas territories to post-Brexit tax haven blacklist
- 8 Jeremy Corbyn loses bid to release Labour documents ahead of High Court battle
- 9 Boris Johnson is the 'worst PM' and should resign, says Alastair Campbell
- 10 Nicola Sturgeon tells Boris Johnson to 'work from home' instead as he plans trip to Scotland
'Whether or not you love or loathe the Conservatives we do now have political stability.'
Hunt says he was 'very kindly' offered a role in government, but added: 'I wanted to spend a bit more time with my kids.'
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.