Boris Johnson responds to Michael Gove 'betrayal' after dramatically dropping out of Tory leadership race

'I cannot, unfortunately, get on with doing what I wanted to do...I wish him every possible success'

Boris Johnson said the responsibility of implementing the Brexit was “up to somebody else now” after dramatically ruling himself out of the race to become Prime Minister after Michael Gove’s shock entry into the contest.

Asked whether he felt “betrayed” by his long-term friend and colleague on Friday, he paused before replying: “I cannot, unfortunately, get on with doing what I wanted to do, so it'll be up to somebody else now and I wish him every possible success."

Mr Johnson said he had no regrets over campaigning for Leave and urged people to stay positive, dismissing Michael Heseltine’s criticism as “complete nonsense”.

(Reuters (Reuters)

A heckler and group of journalists were seen following him from his London home in footage broadcast by the BBC.

“What have you done to this country?” one man asked, accusing the former Mayor of London of “abandoning a sinking ship”.

Mr Johnson replied: “It seems absolutely fine to me, rubbish.”

He said any prospective part in the next Government would be up to the next Prime Minister, adding: “But that can't be me.”

After leading the victorious campaign for Britain to Leave the EU, Mr Johnson was the hotly-tipped favourite to take David Cameron’s post.

But the shock entry of Mr Gove, his referendum ally and prospective campaign manager, into the leadership race destroyed his position as the main pro-Brexit candidate.

In a blistering attack just hours before the close of nominations, the Justice Secretary said Mr Johnson “cannot provide the leadership or build the team for the task ahead”.

A leaked email from Mr Gove’s wife, Sarah Vine, had also provoked intense speculation over divisions when it showed her urging her husband’s aides to get “specific assurances” before offering Mr Johnson his support.

It also claimed that Mr Gove has the trust of Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre and News Corp chief Rupert Murdoch who, Ms Vine writes, “Instinctively dislike Boris.”

In a further blow to Mr Johnson, Leave campaigners Andrea Leadsom and Liam Fox have also entered the race, along with Remain backers Theresa May and Stephen Crabb.

Speaking to a news conference expecting to hear his leadership pitch on Thursday, he said: “Having consulted colleagues and in view of the circumstances in parliament, I have concluded that person cannot be me.