‘It’s going to be awful’: Tory MPs are gearing up for a vicious succession battle

‘There’s an argument that for potential leadership hopefuls, such as Liz Truss or Nadhim Zahawi, it could be advantageous for them to remain in cabinet.’ Composite: Getty; PA; EPA; HM Treasury

There is a saying among ministers that the safest place to be in a crisis is the dispatch box. Behind it, you are in control of the situation. You can respond to any development on your own terms.

But for Boris Johnson there was little to take comfort from when he faced MPs in the Commons chamber on Wednesday. When asked by the Conservative MP Tim Loughton if there was anything that would convince him to resign, he replied that it was the job of a prime minister who had won a “colossal” mandate to keep going even if times were tough.