Boris Johnson refuses to back Theresa May as odds on him being next PM are slashed

The odds on Boris Johnson becoming the next Prime Minister have plummeted after Theresa May confirmed that the Conservatives will attempt to form a coalition with the DUP.

In the wake of the disastrous General Election, the Foreign Secretary has repeatedly failed to publicly back the PM, sticking to vague responses or simply staying silent when quizzed by reporters as to whether she remain in 10 Downing Street.

Irish bookmaker Paddy Power put Johnson’s odds to take over as leader at 7/1 following the shocking election result. Before the polls closed, they were set at 50/1. Various other betting firms have similarly slashed odds over the last 24 hours.

May is insistent that she will not resign despite the high-risk snap election that she called for in April backfiring spectacularly. Jeremy Corbyn is one of many who have called for her resignation.

The Prime Minister held onto her Maidenhead seat while Johnson retained his Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat with 23,716 votes. He said in his victory speech: “It is early to comment on the events unfolding tonight in this General Election.

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“But one thing is absolutely clear, I think, to all of us who have been elected as MPs tonight across our fantastic country: that is, we have got to listen to our constituents and listen to their concerns.”

The former London Mayor dropped out of the Conservative leadership race last year in the chaotic days following the Brexit referendum.

Conservatives David Davis, Amber Rudd, Ruth Davidson, and Phillip Hammond are also among the bookies’ favourites to be the next Prime Minister.