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Published: 9:56 AM June 14, 2019 Updated: 6:04 PM September 17, 2020

Crossbench peer and businessman Alan Sugar has tweeted his support for Boris Johnson as prime minister - despite last month saying he should be in prison.

The former Labour politician took to the social media network website to claim that only Johnson had the potential of winning a general election up against Jeremy Corbyn.

He tweeted: "I seriously back @BorisJohnson to be the new PM. The public like him and he will have a good chance of winning the general election in 2021 if not before."

He added: "Any one who can stop @jeremycorbyn from becoming PM has my backing."

Sugar had said he would leave the country if Jeremy Corbyn won an election, but also said just three weeks before his support for Johnson, that the Brexiteer should be in prison. His tweet was a reiteration of a speech he delivered in the House of Lords last October when he spoke in support of a People's Vote.

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In the statement he posted at the time of the misconduct case, Sugar said: "Britain is going to leave the European Union, which in my opinion will place the country in a disastrous state.

"Boris Johnson and Michael Gove are liars and should be criminally prosecuted.

"Regrettably, however, the laws which apply to businessmen do not apply to these slippery politicians."

Appearing on Sky News the businessman was asked about his remarks in an attempt to understand his u-turn on his judgement.

"Look somebody tried to prosecute Boris recently and failed. I am delighted that he looks like the next prime minister, and the reason for that is because in a bizarre way when the next general election comes up I think the voting public will far prefer him than Jermey Corbyn.

"I think anybody who stops Jeremy Corbyn getting into power will be backed by me."

Despite being anti-Brexit in the House of Lords, he said: "Boris did a relatively good job when he was the mayor of London, and when he becomes the prime minister I am sure he will grab Brexit by the horns and get ready for an election in 2021."

Sugar was also asked about the reports that Boris had said "fuck business" in reference to Brexit.

"Reported, yes, but it was also reported we would win the Champions League but we didn't. I think as journalists you should only refer to things you've physically seen yourself."

Told that the potential prime minister hadn't denied the reports, he continued: "There's a lot of things he hasn't denied. Taking cocacine, for example, and all that sort of stuff, he's just brushed around the edges.

"I can't comment on that I didn't see him say it. I very much doubt he would mean it, because business makes the world goes round, and what employes people in this country.

"I think it's someone taking him out of context and giving cannon fodder for the likes of you."