Bemused holidaymakers have found themselves joining Boris Johnson on his flight home to see if he can make a sensational return to 10 Downing Street.
The former Prime Minister boarded a flight from the Dominican Republic last night where he has been on a break with his wife Carrie and two children Wilfred and Romy.
There are widespread reports that Mr Johnson intends to stand in the Conservative Party leadership race following the resignation of Liz Truss though he has yet to publicly confirm them.
Reporters are also on the British Airways flight and say the VIP guest has caused quite a stir.
Sky’s Mark Stone said: “Just as he was waiting to get on, he was boarded before everyone else with his wife and two children…and there was a mixed reaction.
“We were waiting beside the gates and he was on the other side of the glass, a few boos, a few people just slightly bewildered.
“I think there was an expectation by some that he might be on the plane, but yes there were one or two boos, he wouldn’t have heard them because he was the other side of the glass.”
The BBC’s Nomia Iqbal said some passengers were “amazed” to see Mr Johnson joining them on board, where he is sitting in economy.
A few people who tried to take selfies were stopped from doing so by a large security team that surround him, including Met police officers, she added.
A man and woman sitting near Mr Johnson told her: “It’s just a bit mad…it’s made our flight home less boring. We want to try and see him before we get off in London.”
But asked they feel about his potential return to office they said: “I’d rather an election.”
Mr Johnson is thought to have spent the past few days phoning MPs from the Caribbean to establish if he will manage to get the endorsement of at least 100 which is necessary for him to get on the ballot paper.
One supporter MP James Duddridge says he spoke to Mr Johnson and the former Prime Minister said he was “up for it”.
The BA flight to Gatwick is expected to arrive at 9.30am local time in London on Saturday.
Mr Johnson has yet to comment to journalists on the flight.
The possible return of Mr Johnson, who resigned just six weeks ago following a string of scandals, is proving deeply divisive – both among Tory MPs and Conservative Party members.
Some MPs have told i they are convinced only Mr Johnson can help them keep their seats in the next election, which currently promises to be a bruising defeat for the Tory party.
Figures including Jacob Rees-Mogg have already come out in support of the scandal-ridden former Prime Minister, coining the slogan “Boris or bust”.
But others have threatened to quit if Mr Johnson is handed back the keys to No10 – or even launches a serious leadership bid.
