Boris Johnson claims Tory MPs will ‘coalesce in loyalty’ around his successor

Prime Minister Boris Johnson departs 10 Downing Street (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Boris Johnson has claimed Tory MPs will “coalesce in loyalty” around his successor before declaring he has “rock-solid confidence” in the next government’s ambitions.

The British prime minister ran through what he perceived to be his greatest hits in office as he sought to bat away calls for him to resign immediately rather than wait until the end of the Conservative Party leadership contest on September 5.