The Telegraph: Boris Johnson tipped to become next secretary general of NATO

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is being backed by senior Tories to be the next secretary general of NATO when the high-profile role next becomes free. He is being touted as a candidate to fill the key defence post with the incumbent Jens Stoltenberg widely expected to stand down in September next year.

Mr Johnson is the latest British politician to be tipped for the role after Ben Wallace, the Defence Secretary, and Theresa May and David Cameron, both former prime ministers, according to The Telegraph.

The timing of the role would allow Mr Johnson some time to recharge his batteries after he stands down as Prime Minister on September 6.

He would need to quit as an MP to take up the role, which is appointed unanimously by NATO member countries.

A British candidate has long been tipped for the role because of US distrust around any European Union figures taking the job given repeated suggestions of plans for a new EU army.

Britain is also trusted by the Baltic states and Mr Johnson personally has won international credit for helping to build the international coalition against Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

Richard Drax MP, a senior Conservative member of the defence select committee, said he would support the Prime Minister for the role if he wanted it.

Mr Drax told The Telegraph: “Any distinguished Brit would be a great choice. If indeed that is what Boris Johnson wants to go and do, of course, I would support that.”

Mark Francois MP, another member of the defence committee, added: “People will probably argue over Boris Johnson’s legacy for years – but one thing which is clearly inarguable is his absolutely staunch support for Ukraine in the face of Russian barbarity.

“If he were to apply to become the Secretary General of NATO, I suspect he could rely on President Zelensky for a reference.”

David Jones, the former Brexit minister, added: “Boris has actually led the Western response to Putin. It was Boris who went to Sweden and Finland and urged the leaders of both countries to make applications for NATO membership which of course they did.”

The next head of NATO was due to be appointed this September but was delayed by a year due to the crisis in Ukraine.

The last UK politician to become NATO secretary general, one of the world’s most senior defence appointments, was Lord Robertson of Port Ellen – who at the time was Labour Defence Secretary – in 1999.