Now in contention to become the next Prime Minister, Mr Johnson was once heavily criticised by Max Hill QC following the 2016 referendum. Writing in 2016, Mr Hill admitted that if Mr Johnson became Tory leader, he hoped that he would suffer the same fate as David Cameron according to The Sun. Moreover, Mr Hill also labelled the former Foreign Secretary as a “traitor” in the wake of the Brexit referendum.

In a tweet written in 2016, Mr Hill wrote: “If Johnson prevails and becomes leader and PM, we must hope someone does to him what he did to Cameron.”

Adding to that scathing attack Mr Hill added a hashtag termed “traitors are losers” while also linking to a petition for a second referendum.

The tweet in question is still available to the public on Mr Hill’s Twitter profile and was reiterated four days later with the caption “as I said days ago” accompanied with the hashtag “traitors” at the time of writing. 

The matter has resurfaced at a time when Mr Johnson has faced a court summons over accusations of misconduct in public office.

In reference to that summons, a Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said last night: “The tweet is a private matter as it pre-dates Max Hill’s appointment as Director of Public Prosecutions.

“The CPS has no involvement in the private prosecution involving Mr Johnson.

“If any private prosecution is referred to us, it is dealt with by specialist lawyers, not the DPP.”

Mr Johnson has been regarded in the Tory leadership race since Theresa May announced her resignation.

He will, however, face competition from Michael Gove and Jeremy Hunt with the former insisting that the October 31 Brexit date is merely “arbitrary”.

Mr Gove’s comments come as his rival, Mr Johnson insisted that his party could face “extinction” if it does not deliver Brexit.

Mr Johnson added: “We are looking at a very difficult situation and we must get ready, eventually, but not immediately, to beat Jeremy Corbyn and put Farage back in his box.

“We are facing an existential crisis and will not be forgiven if we do not deliver Brexit on 31 October.

“I believe I am best placed to lift this party, beat Jeremy Corbyn and excite people about conservatism and Conservative values.”

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