A forthcoming book by political historian Sir Anthony Seldon alleges that Rishi Sunak played a central role in the political maneuvering that led to the downfall of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. According to the report, Sunak’s aides engaged in a forensic effort to destabilize Johnson’s administration, an operation Seldon claims was carried out with Sunak’s tacit support.

The book characterizes the internal party dynamics as highly strategic, suggesting that the resignation of Sunak as Chancellor in July 2022 was not an isolated event but the culmination of a broader, long-term plan to oust the Prime Minister. Seldon, who has written extensively on British political leaders, argues that the groundwork for Johnson’s departure was laid by Sunak’s team well before the final collapse of the cabinet.

While the claims provide a detailed narrative of internal Conservative Party tensions, they represent one perspective on the complex series of resignations that ultimately forced Johnson to step down. The report highlights the deep divisions within the party during that period, framing the transition of power as a result of deliberate internal pressure rather than merely a reaction to external political scandals. As of now, representatives for Rishi Sunak have not provided a detailed rebuttal to the specific allegations made in Seldon’s text, leaving the account as the primary source for these new claims regarding the timeline of Johnson’s exit.