A SENIOR East Lancashire MP has hinted at a return to office for Boris Johnson as stunned Tory colleagues expressed sadness at Liz Truss's sudden resignation.

Government minister Andrew Stephenson said people in his Pendle constituency were asking if the former Prime Minister would return to 10 Downing Street.

Hyndburn Tory MP Sara Britcliffe refused to rule a revival of a come back for Mr Johnson.

They and Tory chairman Sir Jake Berry expressed sadness at Mr Truss's sudden demise.

But Blackburn Labour MP Kate Hollern called for an immediate general election rather than a new Tory PM.

Levelling up minister Mr Stephenson said: “Whilst I believe she has made the right decision, I am deeply disappointed that Liz Truss’s tenure as Prime Minister has ended so soon.

"It underlines how difficult and punishing a job it is to run the country.

“A new Prime Minister is now urgently needed who can bring stability. We face enormous economic challenges that must be addressed.

"Over recent weeks many people across Pendle have asked why MPs ever got rid of Boris, or if he could become Prime Minister again.

“I encourage Pendle residents to continue to contact me in the days ahead, as I am keen to hear people’s view on what the best way forward for our country is at this time.”

His intervention followed speculation at Westminster Mr Johnson might stand in the forthcoming Tory leadership election.

Miss Britcliffe said: "She has had a difficult time since coming in. We have has the cost of living crisis and the war in Ukraine but I think the party has come to the conclusion that unity could not be maintained behind Liz Truss.

"As vice-chairman of the Conservative Party I cannot comment on any candidates to succeed her.

"We have seen that there have been a lot of MPs publicly backing a Boris return. Whether he throws his hat in the ring we will have to find out.

"I wouldn't say Mrs Truss has been the worst Prime Minister ever. It has been a difficult time and she has apologised for some of the decisions made. She has made some decisions that were not right for the country but we have to be honest were are in a difficult position in the country and indeed globally.

"I am hoping we shall see unity and stability in the party with our new leader."

Rossendale and Darwen MP Sir Jake said:"I am sorry to see the Prime Minister gone.

"As chairman of the Conservative Party I must remain neutral."

Mrs Hollern said: "The Conservative Party have taken us from crisis to chaos and will now attempt to bring forward their fifth Prime Minister in seven years.

"The Conservative Party have proven that they are not fit to govern and no longer have a mandate to govern, the public must be allowed to choose.

"The damage to our economy and our institutions has already been done. Families across the country are struggling because of a decade of mismanagement and the government's recent attempts to rehash the failed trickle down economics of the 80s. There must be a General Election now."

Burnley Conservative backbencher and House of Commons Deputy speaker and Ribble Valley Tory MP Nigel Evans were unavailable for comment.