Boris Johnson’s allies have accused those conspiring to oust him of being “self-indulgent, narcissistic and contemptuous” amid growing government concern about the risk of a vote of confidence in the prime minister.
Johnson is said to be increasingly frustrated with Conservative MPs who openly plan to remove him following a critical report on Downing Street parties. A total of 30 Conservative MPs have now asked him to go and 18 more have publicly criticized him.
Conservative rebels believe they could have the numbers for a vote of confidence next week, though whips think it could take longer. Some cabinet ministers privately want Johnson to “force the problem” by holding a vote before two by-elections on June 23 to limit the number of Conservatives.