BORIS Johnson continues to cling to power despite having been fined for breaking the law, thanks to the support of his backbenchers.
Johnson now faces a third inquiry into lockdown parties held at Downing Street and Whitehall and it is expected he will receive further fines as the Met Police continue their investigation.
While the opposition parties have been unified in their call for the Prime Minister to quit, the Tory backbenchers have stayed largely quiet.
But according to one senior Conservative and polling expert, the talk behind the scenes is not so positive.
“I think if one looks forward there is the decision of the police in relation to future fines, possibly, more investigations, you’ve got the Sue Gray report and then you would have the Privileges Committee,” the peer told Radio 4.
READ MORE: Sky News: Boris Johnson gets rattled in tense interview with Beth Rigby
“And this would be death by a thousand cuts, and what clearly the Conservative Party, not just the MPs but particularly the MPs, are saying is they don’t want that. And they’re moving more towards a position where this matter has to be resolved.
“I expect there to be a challenge to his leadership in some form or another.”
Given this prediction, we will be keeping track of the MPs who have publicly called for Johnson’s resignation – bearing in mind that 54 are required to trigger a vote of no-confidence.
According to senior Tory MP Mark Harper, that could happen as soon as July.
This list will be continually updated. Other MPs have called for him to resign, before U-turning and saying the Ukraine war was more important, including Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross.
Steve Baker, MP for Wycombe
“The prime minister now should be long gone … really, the prime minister should just know the gig’s up.”
Mark Harper, MP for Forest of Dean
“I am very sorry to have to say this, but I no longer think he is worthy of the great office he holds.”
Craig Whittaker, MP for Calder Valley
“You can’t set the law of the lands and then break them as they have.”
Nigel Mills, MP for Amber Valley
“We have to have higher standards than that of people at the top. He’s been fined, I don’t think his position is tenable.”
Caroline Nokes, MP for Romsey and Southampton North
“I have already been very clear that I believe the PM’s conduct fell far short of what my constituents have every right to expect. I do not need to write a letter of no confidence to the chair of the 1922 Committee, mine was in a very long time ago.”
Sir Gary Streeter, MP for South West Devon
“I cannot reconcile the pain and sacrifice of the vast majority of the British public during lockdown with the attitude and activities of those working in Downing Street.”
Anthony Mangnall, MP for Totnes and South Devon
“At this time I can no longer support the PM. His actions and mistruths are overshadowing the extraordinary work of so many excellent ministers.”
Tobias Ellwood, MP for Bournemouth East
“I believe it’s time for the Prime Minister to take a grip of this; he himself should call a vote of confidence rather than waiting for the inevitable 54 letters to be eventually submitted.”
Peter Aldous, MP for Waveney
“I have never taken such action before and had hoped that I would not be put in such an invidious position. Whilst I am conscious that others will disagree with me, I believe that this is in the best interests of the country, the Government and the Conservative Party.”
Aaron Bell, MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme
“The breach of trust that the events in Downing Street represent, and the manner in which they have been handled, makes [Johnson’s] position untenable."
Who will be the next to call for Johnson to go?
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