The health secretary has said he thinks “it is possible” the threshold has been reached to trigger a no confidence vote in Boris Johnson – but the PM will “stand his corner”.
Speculation has mounted that a leadership vote could be held in the coming days as Conservative MPs react to the findings of the Sue Gray report on partygate.
Asked by Sky News’ Kay Burley if the threshold to trigger a vote has been reached, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “I don’t know, that’s the honest answer. Only my colleague Sir Graham Brady knows, as the chair of the 1922 Committee.
“We know a number of colleagues have already gone public with asking for such a vote, that’s a decision for them.
“If 54 letters are reached I’m sure a vote will be called – I do think it is possible.”
A total of 54 letters – 15% of Tory MPs – have to be submitted to Sir Graham for a no confidence vote to be held, but only Sir Graham knows how many have been handed in.
Mr Javid then told the BBC a no confidence in the PM “is likely”.
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The health secretary also told Sky News if a vote is held the PM will “fight and stand his corner with a very strong case” as he insisted the public wants to see policies being delivered, which he said has happened under Mr Johnson’s leadership.
Shortly after Mr Javid spoke to Sky News, former energy minister Jesse Norman announced he has sent a letter to Sir Graham as he gave a highly critical assessment of the PM’s performance, saying many of his policies are un-Conservative.
His wife is Kate Bingham, the woman who is responsible for the successful rollout of the COVID vaccine, which Mr Johnson continually mentions as an example of positive decisions he has made.
