Boris Johnson still has a 'huge role to play' in politics and should remain an MP after the next general election, the Health Secretary said yesterday.

Steve Barclay said his former boss had 'achieved many things', particularly his leadership over the war in Ukraine. 

His backing comes after Mr Johnson hit out at the Cabinet Office for handing over information to police relating to further potential lockdown breaches.

Asked on Sky whether the former prime minister was 'toast', Mr Barclay replied: 'No, I think Boris has a huge role to play. We saw his leadership in the country's response to Ukraine.

'Of course I want to see Boris back as an MP... Boris achieved many things.'

Mr Barclay was appointed Health Secretary by Mr Johnson after Sajid Javid quit the role and triggered a wave of resignations that ended in the then-PM's downfall. 

Over the weekend Mr Johnson insisted fresh claims he broke lockdown rules are 'a load of nonsense'. 

He told Sky News: 'I think it's ridiculous that elements in my diary should be cherry-picked and handed over to the police... without even anybody having the basic common sense to ask me what these entries referred to.'