A second cabinet source said defending the prime minister’s handling of the allegations against Mr Pincher was “destroying the soul”, while a third said it was “a bit like getting punched in the face” .
One told The Telegraph that junior ministers were likely to be “excellent” in broadcast interviews, as their top cabinet colleagues were likely to try to “rise in rank” and refuse to go on the airwaves. .
“Most have already done their fair share of unbearable interviews; you may find out more with appointments with the dentist or mourning this week,” they said.
It is also understood that several Conservative MPs have contacted the Whips Office to demand that the Prime Minister make it clear that Mr Pincher should resign from Parliament and asking them to ensure they do not reinstate the whip.
“I think most of us sent messages demanding that he lose the whip,” a later banker said. “Many of us have said he should resign completely, immediately.”
The Prime Minister is under increasing pressure to explain how much he knew about the claims against Mr Pincher before appointing him as deputy director in February.
Over the weekend, six new allegations surfaced about the MP, who resigned on Thursday from his government role following allegations he palpated two men at a private club in London.
Mr Johnson will face questions from the senior parliamentary liaison committee on Wednesday, which are expected to ask him about handling the latest allegations against Pincher and about his appointment to Whips’ office.
Also on Wednesday, in a new threat to the prime minister’s leadership, the 1922 re-election committee executive election will begin. If the conservative rebels are voted on, they could change the rules that currently prevent another censorship for 12 months.
Anger among cabinet ministers comes after Therese Coffey, the Labor and Pensions secretary, endured a series of awkward television interviews on Sunday about the prime minister’s knowledge of Mr Pincher’s conduct.