Lord Graham Brady, former chairman of the Conservative Party's 1922 Committee, has revealed details of Boris Johnson's dramatic U-turn during his final days as Prime Minister.
Speaking to GB News, Lord Brady recounted a meeting where Johnson was "absolutely determined" to fight on despite mounting pressure to resign.
"I don't know how this is going to end, but it's going to be messy," Brady recalled thinking at the time.
However, the situation changed rapidly. Brady received a call from Johnson's office the next morning, followed by a direct call from the Prime Minister himself at 8:30am.
Boris Johnson was "determined to fight on"
GB News"You know the conversation we had last night. I've changed my mind," Johnson reportedly told Brady, signalling his decision to step down.
Brady attributed the reversal to "the logic and the pressure of events", noting Johnson was struggling to fill ministerial positions in his government.
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In his newly published memoir, "Kingmaker: Secrets, Lies, and the Truth about Five Prime Ministers", Lord Brady provides further insight into Johnson's tumultuous tenure.
The former 1922 Committee chairman also reveals Johnson's frustration with MPs who owed their election to Cummings.
Brady's book offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of Conservative Party politics during a period of significant upheaval.
His account spans the leadership of five prime ministers, providing a unique perspective on recent British political history.
Lord Brady is the longest serving chairman of the 1922 Committee
GB News
Lord Brady's memoir also sheds light on his views regarding the Covid-19 lockdowns and their impact on Johnson's career.
He argues that if Johnson had "followed his own instincts" and allowed people to make their own decisions, the complex web of restrictions would not have been in place.
"The simple answer is that I think if Boris had followed his own instincts, which would have been to allow people to make their own choices, then the complex web of restrictions and regulations would not have been in place and he wouldn't have ensnared himself in them," Brady told the Express.
He contends that the lockdowns not only damaged children's education and health but also paved the way for the "partygate" scandal that ultimately led to Johnson's downfall.
Boris Johnson was frustrated with MPs who owed their election to Cummings
GettyBrady maintains that while the initial lockdown was reasonable, subsequent restrictions were "more appropriate for a virus like Ebola than Covid".
Despite the Conservative Party's recent electoral setbacks, Lord Brady remains optimistic about their future prospects. He believes the Tories can return to power in the next general election.
"I think it's entirely possible for the Conservatives to win the next general election," Brady told the Express. "Especially, I might add, if Labour carries on as they have started."
He predicts that voters will find Labour's proposed cuts to winter fuel payments "hard to forget".