Mr Johnson on Wednesday night sacked Michael Gove as levelling up secretary, hours after he told the prime minister privately that he should resign. Other cabinet ministers, including home secretary Priti Patel and transport secretary Grant Shapps, urged the prime minister to go on Wednesday evening but he told them he was determined to remain in office.
“It should not take the resignation of 50 colleagues, but sadly the PM has left us no choice. He needs to resign.” Technology minister Chris Philp resigned on Thursday morning: “PM should step down given public and parliamentary confidence has clearly gone, and given the importance of integrity in public life”.
The executive committee of the 1922 Committee of backbench Conservative MPs decided against changing the rules to allow for a second vote of no confidence in Mr Johnson’s leadership before 12 months has elapsed since last month’s vote.But they said a new executive would be elected next Monday and a majority of those chosen are expected to favour a rule change.