Boris Johnson pulls out of UK Conservative leadership race

FILE PHOTO: Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson walks, at Gatwick Airport, near London, Britain October 22, 2022. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls

LONDON (Reuters) -Former prime minister Boris Johnson pulled out of the contest to become Britain's next leader on Sunday, saying he had the support of enough lawmakers to progress to the next stage but far fewer than front-runner former finance minister Rishi Sunak.

"There is a very good chance that I would be successful in the election with Conservative Party members - and that I could indeed be back in Downing Street on Friday," Johnson said in a statement.