Former Prime Minister Boris Jonhson has gained more than 100 backers towards the race for the next Conservative Party leader, according to sources.

It comes as BBC political editor Chris Mason shared that campaign sources say Johnson has exceeded the required amount to be eligible to run for PM.

However, Mason did add that the rumoured number is less than the number of publicly declared backers, which stands at 49.

The news comes after Johnson was spotted on a flight back from his holiday in the Dominican Republic after Liz Truss announced her resignation on Thursday afternoon.

Johnson flew to Gatwick Airport in economy with his wife and children, on the plane, there was a “mixed reaction” to his arrival after he boarded before anyone else.

Following the news of his departure, the flight was tracked by over 7,000 users on the FlightRadar24 website.

After landing in England, the former PM waved to the press as he was ushered through the VIP terminal by security.

Johnson’s backings come just months after his resignation when the party was met with mass resignations by ministers with many saying they had lost their confidence in the PM.

Now some members of the Tory party have shared their support, as Jacob-Rees-Mogg shared: “I’m backing Boris #BorisorBust”

Whilst defence secretary, Ben Wallace shared he is “leaning towards Boris Johnson” after ruling himself out of the race.

How will the Tory leadership race work as Liz Truss resigns?

Sir Graham Brady, the chair of the 1922 committee, and Jake Berry, Chairman of the Conservative Party, have laid out how the process will work.

In a tweet, ITV political editor Paul Brand said: "BREAKING: Sir Graham Brady and Jake Berry say contest will work like this… Nominations close 2pm Monday. Candidates need min 100 votes from MPs. Whittled down to final 2 across next week. Online vote by members to pick winner by Friday 28th Oct."

He also added: "If only one candidate gets over 100 MP votes then they automatically become PM on Monday."

Currently, the Conservative party have 357 MPs in the Commons according to the Parliament website, so they will all get the chance to nominate an MP who stands in the contest.