Boris Johnson has clung on to his job as Prime Minister for now - but suffered some heavy blows in tonight's no confidence vote.
The Prime Minister faced a humbling vote confidence vote tonight after anger about the partygate scandal bubbled over amongst Tory MPs. Earlier today Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee of backbench Conservative MPs, announced that he had received the 54 letters required to bring about such a vote.
It was always going to be a big ask for rebels to meet the 180 votes needed to remove Mr Johnson as Prime Minister and as that number was not met, he will remain in 10 Downing Street, for now at least. But this was another bruising night for the PM as 148 of his own MPs voted to state that they had no confidence in his leadership. A result that is far worse than the one achieved by Theresa May in a 2018 vote.
READ MORE: Live updates as Boris Johnson faces vote of no confidence
Anger and frustration has been building amongst Conservative MPs regarding the Partygate scandal of rampant law-breaking in Downing Street throughout the pandemic lockdowns. Mr Johnson was issued a fine by the Metropolitan Police for attending one gathering.
A report by top civil servant Sue Gray then revealed, in grim detail, the huge level of lawbreaking and debauchery that had gone on inside Number 10. That report was hugely critical of the leadership shown by Mr Johnson and the culture he created.
Conservative Party rules state that once a Prime Minister wins a confidence motion, another such vote cannot be held for 12 months, but that doesn't necessarily mean Mr Johnson is out of trouble. A leadership challenge could still topple him. If he leads his party to defeat in by-elections in Wakefield and Tiverton later this month then we could well see that happen.
It has also been hinted that the rules could be changed in order to facilitate another such vote sooner.
