Boris Johnson has played down the prospect of a Commons comeback at the general election, indicating that he is committed to seeing out his full term as London mayor.

He dismissed reports of a clash with George Osborne over claims that the Chancellor sought to persuade him stand again as an MP in next year's election.

The mayor was said to have reacted angrily to the offer, seeing it as an attempt to bind him into the result and making it difficult for him to challenge David Cameron for the leadership if the Tories are defeated.

But speaking on LBC radio, he said: "I haven't had a conversation of any such kind with George.

"George and I have a very, very good working relationship."