UK's Boris Johnson could become next Nato chief
Boris Johnson is being backed by senior Tories to be the next secretary general of Nato when the high-profile role next becomes free, The Telegraph reports.
The Prime Minister 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.
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.
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.