Boris Johnson 'backing Cameron all the way'

Mayor of London Boris Johnson (left) with Prime Minister David Cameron. Credit: Yui Mok/ PA Wire

London Mayor Boris Johnson has said he is backing David Cameron "all the way" and is "increasingly confident" the Prime Minister will win the 2015 election for the Tories, amid fresh claims about his party leadership ambitions.

Former Downing Street media adviser Andy Coulson reignited speculation by claiming the London Mayor was desperate to be prime minister but would rather see Mr Cameron "fail miserably" and take his place than stab him in the back.

Responding to the article, Mr Johnson said: "Grateful as I always am to Andy for career advice, I am backing David Cameron all the way."

ITV News Political Correspondent Carl Dinnen reports on the substance of Mr Coulson's comments:

Mr Coulson, the former News of the World editor who is due to stand trial later this year over allegations related to phone-hacking, wrote in GQ magazine that the mayor's preferred strategy would ideally like to "ride in on his bike to save party and country" should Mr Cameron and the Conservatives lose the 2015 general election.

He wrote in GQ:

Mr Coulson commenting on the shadow cabinet said its members appeared "detached" from Labour leader Ed Miliband.

Mr Coulson is also facing charges over an alleged conspiracy to bribe public officials for information.