Boris Johnson has moved to quell talk of a feud with senior figures in the Conservative party.
Friends say he intends to serve his full term as London mayor rather than run in next year’s general election.
They were responding to suggestions he was the victim of a dirty tricks campaign at the hands of George Osborne.
It was reported the chancellor had personally delivered a message to Mr Johnson that he should fight in 2015.
The Mail on Sunday quotes an ally accusing Mr Osborne of trying to undermine Mr Johnson.
‘This is nothing to do with party loyalty and everything to do with Osborne and Cameron trying to destabilise Boris.
‘They want to make sure, if the Tories lose, Boris gets as much flak as they do and can’t stand as leader as a “break with the failed Cameron-Osborne regime”.’
Sources said discussions the mayor has with prime minister David Cameron and Mr Osborne focus on the 2015 campaign, not his future role within the party.
A friend of the mayor last night played down reports of a feud, saying: ‘Boris’s focus is on London – it was in 2012, when he stood for a second term, it will be in 2016 when he finishes that term.’
Conservative party chairman Grant Shapps told BBC1’s Andrew Marr Show: ‘He’s doing a brilliant job in London.’ Mr Shapps said it would be ‘crazy’ for the mayor not to be involved in the general election campaign.
