Cameron’s friends blast ‘mendacious’ Leave campaign & hunt for a candidate to ‘stop Boris’

FRIENDS of David Cameron have furiously hit out at Brexit campaigners for leading a “mendacious” campaign against the Prime Minister.

Allies of Mr Cameron accused Michael Gove and Boris Johnson of “corroding” trust in politics as Project Fear warnings are proving to be a “reality”.

Colleagues of Mr Cameron – who announced his resignation on Friday – are also desperately searching for a “stop Boris” candidate for the Conservative leadership contest.

An anonymous friend of the Prime Minister said he would not interfere with the leadership campaign but added: “What was characterised and condemned as Project Fear is increasingly being recognised as Project Reality.

“A campaign that was characterised by mendaciousness is being credited as a master-stroke.

“There has been a corrosion of trust in British politics and financial institutions like the Bank of England.”

And pro-EU Business Minister Anna Soubry said: “A lot of people suddenly realised that Project Fear is turning into Project Reality.

“We are doing everything we can as a Government but the reality is starting to dawn.

“Now we have got to get a plan in place, and of course we have got to get the right leader in place.”

The comments come as ratings agency Moody’s cut Britain’s outlook to “negative” and claimed that the UK’s vote to quit the European Union would trigger “a prolonged period of uncertainty”.

Vote Leave campaigner Boris Johnson is widely seen to be the favourite to take over the reigns from Mr Cameron.

But other candidates are thought to be lining up for the contest, such Home Secretary Theresa May and Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb.

Mrs May is seen as the most likely challenger to former London mayor Johnson, with many allies of Mr Cameron believed to be lending their support.