There is speculation that Boris Johnson may be planning a return to his former south Oxfordshire constituency – with reports the ex-Prime Minister is seeking to buy a house in the area.

National newspapers have reported Mr Johnson is said to be moving to a £4 million nine-bedroom, Grade II listed home in the south of the county – a move which would allow him to stand for Parliament in his old Henley constituency, where he served as MP from 2001-2008.

Sitting MP John Howell has failed to confirm he will be standing again in what is considered one of the country's safest Tory seats. He said: "I have no intention of commenting."

READ MORE: Boris Johnson said to have 'agreed to buy' house near Henley

Mr Johnson currently represents the constituency of Uxbridge and South Ruislip but his majority is only 7,200.

It has been reported that Labour are targeting the seat at the next election.

Attempting to quash speculation of a move, a spokesman for the former prime minister said: “Boris Johnson has announced he is standing in Uxbridge and South Ruislip. Any claim to the contrary is completely incorrect.”

On the matter of living arrangements, the spokesman declined to comment.

South Oxfordshire district councillor Lorraine Hillier said: "I would be delighted if Boris came back.

"I think it is rather frustrating with Mr Howell as they have to make a decision by December 5 and I'm not sure why he cannot relay the decision to his colleagues at South Oxfordshire.

"I think it is a bit of speculation at the moment as I think he will stick with his Uxbridge seat."

When asked if Mr Johnson was still popular with the public in Oxfordshire, she said: "I don't think he has ever been popular with certain people in Henley.

I think they have always had the daggers out for him, but generally I would say he is very popular.

"He would be welcomed back with welcome arms because he was a very good MP for Henley.

"I don't think we have seen the last of Boris thankfully."

Henley town councillor Ian Reissmann was less complimentary about Mr Johnson but highlighted he helped the community campaign for a new hospital.

He said: "When I was mayor in 2005, I did work quite closely with him in relation to the hospital campaign.

"We were grateful for his help, and we did eventually get the new hospital.

As a constituency MP he was okay, but I always felt that was the limit of his ability.

"I did not think he was well suited to be the mayor of London or prime minister and I think History will show I was right."

Mr Reissmann said he believed Mr Johnson's return as Henley's MP seemed "very likely" because Mr Howell was "very personally unpopular".

He added: "He is a rude and highly ineffective MP. But even so he still has a large majority because of the way politics works."

Mr Howell replied: "I do not respond to personal accusations from political opponents."