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Boris Johnson is preparing to face MPs in the Commons amid claims that support among Tory MPs is “haemorrhaging away” and he is on the brink of being removed from office.
After a potentially brutal Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Johnson will attempt to launch a fightback by announcing he is ripping up Plan B COVID restrictions opposed by many of his MPs.
The changes in England, expected after 26 January, are likely to include ditching COVID passports and working from home guidance, although mandatory mask wearing in some settings could remain.
Johnson set to announce easing of Plan B restrictions in England
‘Red wall’ mutiny
But despite the COVID climbdown, a mutiny led by “red wall” Tory MPs elected in 2019 is said to be close to reaching the numbers required to trigger a leadership contest, sparking fury among Johnson loyalists.
There are claims that 20 “red wallers” are poised to submit letters to 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady after PMQs, taking the total to close to the 54 that would mean a no-confidence vote.
“We’re certainly nearly there,” a Tory MP elected in 2019 told Sky News, blaming aggressive bullying tactics by government whips trying to protect the prime minister for stoking the rebellion.
And a senior Conservative MP loyal to Mr Johnson told Sky News: “It’s very worrying. Support for him is haemorrhaging away. Graham just smiled when I asked him how many letters he had.”
But other MPs claim some potential mutineers are prepared to wait for the verdict of Whitehall enforcer Sue Gray’s report on Downing Street parties before submitting their letter to Sir Graham.
Opposition to Mr Johnson is said to have hardened after what MPs described as a disastrous TV interview in which he looked haunted during a fierce interrogation on Downing Street party allegations.
Christian Wakeford, MP for the “red wall” seat of Bury South, became the seventh MP to announce he had submitted a letter of no confidence and said several more had…
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Source : skynews
