Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson fueled speculation that he is hoping to succeed Prime Minister Theresa May after he released his views on Brexit goals, days before her speech on the subject.
Johnson, a former journalist, wrote a 4.000-word op-ed for today's edition of Britain's Daily Telegraph in which he said Brexit could bring a "magnificent" future for the UK and help it become the "greatest country on Earth".
He stated that Great Britain should not strive to remain in the EU single market or customs union, but should take the opportunity to go its own way.
The timing of his text is important as May is due to detail her views on Brexit during a speech in Italy on September 22.
Johnson's announcement of his Brexit views ahead of her could be seen by many as a challenge to her authority, which has weakened after her Conservative Party's poor showing in the June 8 election in which it lost an absolute majority in parliament.
Johnson, a passionate supporter of Britain's exit from the EU ahead of last year's referendum, tweeted today, to stop speculation, "All behind Theresa for a glorious Brexit".
In the article, he reiterated the widely rejected idea that leaving the EU would allow Britain to pump £350m a week into the health system and said deregulation and tax reform would make his country prosperous.
Theresa May has remained in charge of the British government despite a poor election result, but is under increasing pressure as Brexit negotiations with the EU have stalled over how much money Britain should pay the EU to leave.
Opposition Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn said Johnson's view of Brexit showed a serious rift within Theresa May's government.
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