12PM UPDATE: Boris Johnson announces he will not stand to be next Prime Minister.

Speaking to the Bucks Free Press yesterday, Steve Baker said he would do what he could to help Boris become the next PM.

It is not clear who he will now be supporting during the leadership contest.

The MP for Wycombe has backed Tory colleague and fellow Brexit campaigner Boris Johnson to be the next Prime Minister – but denies rising through the ranks is his own priority.

Steve Baker, who has represented the Wycombe constituency for six years, could be in line for promotion after playing an instrumental part in the successful Vote Leave campaign.

As part of the high profile bid to secure an exit from the EU, the 45-year-old MP was even joined by Mr Johnson on the infamous battle bus in High Wycombe, and he has now given his full support as the former mayor of London bids to replace David Cameron.

Speaking yesterday, Mr Baker said: “I believe Boris has the character, charisma and the commitment to see through a good quality deal and to ensure that we have a positive and upbeat mood in this country.

“There is for me only one stand-out candidate capable of delivering the optimism and the energy this country needs to take this opportunity to renew itself, and that is Boris.”

Having led a Conservative party revolt from the inside at the early stages of the campaign, Mr Baker has been applauded for his work with some believing a promotion could be on the cards should Boris take over the reins.

However, he has denied holding talks over a future role and instead says his priority is getting on the front foot as the UK leaves the European Union.

He said: “My colleagues have been extremely complimentary about what I have done over the last year and the manner which I’ve done it.

“I’m deeply honoured by my colleague’s feedback on the way I’ve conducted myself and that’s been a considerable reward, but, I’ve had no conversation about joining a particular government.

“Really, it’s not my priority. My priority is to help the best possible candidate for Prime Minister with the best possible team behind him to take office and ensure that we get on the front foot with our future relationship with the European Union.”

He added: “My priority is to help Boris Johnson be elected as the leader of the Conservative party.”

Current Prime Minister David Cameron announced plans to step down in the coming months, just hours after it was confirmed the UK had voted for Brexit by 52 per cent to 48 per cent.

And, despite backing one of the favourites to replace Mr Cameron, he has admitted he initially wanted the PM to stay on.

He said: “I was hoping for David Cameron to stay in post for a period and perhaps for somebody like Michael Gove to be put in charge of the [EU] negotiating team.

“But these were decisions made by the Prime Minister and now that he has made the decision he has, those of us who would like him to stay on must just adjust to reality ourselves and that is we must find the right Prime Minister and move forward.”