Two more Conservative MPs, Nick Gibb and Aaron Bell, on Friday called for Boris Johnson to resign because of “partygate”, bringing the total so far to 15.
In order for a no-confidence vote to be triggered, the chair of the 1922 Committee, Graham Brady, must receive letters from at least 54 MPs – 15% of the Conservative party.
Here is the full list of MPs who have urged the prime minister to stand down, although not all have said that they have formally communicated their demands to Brady.
Nick Gibb
The former education minister and MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton wrote in the Telegraph that his constituents were “furious about the double standards” and said Johnson had been “inaccurate” in statements to the Commons. He said he had submitted a letter of no confidence, adding: “To restore trust, we need to change the prime minister.”
Aaron Bell
The MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme, one of the Conservatives’ 2019 “red wall” intake, announced he had submitted a letter of no confidence, saying: “The breach of trust that events in No 10 Downing Street represent, and the manner in which they have been handled, makes his position untenable.” His statement, on Friday, came days after an emotional moment in the Commons when he asked Johnson if he thought he was a “fool” for following Covid restrictions at his grandmother’s funeral.
Roger Gale
The North Thanet MP said he submitted a letter of no confidence more than 18 months ago after the Dominic Cummings Barnard Castle scandal in 2020. He recently described Johnson as a “dead man walking” politically after his apology for attending a lockdown “bring your own booze” party in the garden of No 10.
Douglas Ross
The Scottish Conservatives’ leader described the prime minister’s position as “untenable” following his admission to attending the BYOB event and that he “could not continue” to lead the British government. The MP for Moray is understood to have submitted a no-confidence letter.
Andrew Bridgen
The Brexiter and MP for North West Leicestershire accused Johnson of presiding over a “moral vacuum at the heart of our government”. In an article for the Daily Telegraph, he urged him to “go now with some semblance of grace”. “With a heavy heart” he said he had submitted a letter of no confidence.
Peter Aldous
The Waveney MP tweeted on 1 February that “after a great deal of soul-searching” he had sent a letter of no confidence. He said he had “never taken such action before” but that it was “in the best interests of the country”.
Tobias Ellwood
The MP for Bournemouth East and chair of the defence select committee said Johnson had lost his support, calling on him to “call a vote of confidence rather than waiting for the inevitable 54 letters to be eventually submitted”. He said it was “horrible” for MPs to have to defend partygate and confirmed on Wednesday that he had submitted his letter.
Anthony Mangnall
The Totnes MP, part of the 2019 intake, spoke against Johnson’s “actions and mistruths” as he said he was calling for a no-confidence vote. He tweeted: “Standards in public life matter. At this time I can no longer support the PM.”
Gary Streeter
Calling for a motion of no confidence in the prime minister, the South West Devon MP said: “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.”
William Wragg
The Hazel Grove MP and chairman of the public administration and constitutional affairs committee said last month that the prime minister’s position had become “untenable”. He has not said publicly whether he has submitted a letter.
Caroline Nokes
Describing Johnson as “a liability”, the former immigration minister and MP for Romsey and Southampton North said on 12 January that Johnson must either leave now or in the next general election. She has not confirmed whether she has sent a letter.
Tim Loughton
The former children’s minister and MP for East Worthing & Shoreham said in a Facebook post on 15 January that he had “regretfully come to the conclusion that Boris Johnson’s position is now untenable”. It is not known whether he has submitted a letter.
David Davis
The former Brexit secretary and MP for Haltemprice and Howden sent shock waves when he told Johnson during prime minister’s questions on 19 January: “You have sat too long here for any good you have been doing. In the name of God, go.” But he later said he wanted to wait for details of Sue Gray’s report before submitting a letter of no confidence. Asked whether he had made a submission as of 31 January, he told LBC: “No, not yet.”
Andrew Mitchell
After Johnson’s House of Commons statement following the publication of the update on the Gray inquiry on 31 January, the former cabinet minister and Sutton Coldfield MP said the prime minister “no longer enjoys my support”. He has not said whether he has contacted Brady.
Charles Walker
The vice-chair of the 1922 Committee and Broxbourne MP said on 1 February he would “applaud” the prime minister if he decided to stand down but that it was “his decision”. It was not clear whether he had submitted a formal letter.
