Boris Johnson is under renewed pressure over Partygate, despite apologising dozens of times in the Commons for the Covid law-breaking birthday bash which saw him fined by police.
Mark Harper and Steve Baker became the latest Conservative MPs to break ranks this week, calling for the prime minister’s resignation over the scandal.
The Independent took a closer look at the Tory MPs who have either called on Mr Johnson to quit, or refused to back him to lead the party into the next general election.
Mark Harper, MP for Forest of Dean
The former chief whip called for the PM to go in Commons, as he also shared a letter of no-confidence he sent to 1922 Committee chair Sir Graham Brady. The committee needs 54 letters to hold a vote of no confidence in the leader. Mr Harper said: “Our party still has so much to offer our country, but sadly, not under Boris Johnson’s leadership.”
William Wragg, MP for Hazel Grove
Mr Wragg revealed that he had submitted a no-confidence letter during a Commons debate on whether Mr Johnson should be referred to a parliamentary committee over Partygate. He said it was “utterly depressing to be asked to defend the indefensible”. He added: “I cannot reconcile myself to the prime minister’s continued leadership.
Steve Baker, MP for Wycombe
The senior figure also called for Mr Johnson to go during a debate on whether the PM should be referred to a Commons investigation. Mr Baker said he could not “forgive” Mr Johnson for “not obeying the letter and spirit” of the law. “The prime minister now should be long gone.”
Nigel Mills, MP for Amber Valley
Mr Mills said Mr Johnson’s position as prime minister was “untenable” after he was fined by the Metropolitan Police for breaking his own Covid laws. He said he would be sending in a letter of no-confidence to 1922 committee chair.
Craig Whittaker, MP for Calder Valley
The former party whip said Mr Johnson should “do the right thing and resign” during a Facebook event after the PM was fined. But Mr Whittaker said he won’t be submitting a letter to the 1922 Committee – predicting that the PM would win a no-confidence vote (his removal would require a majority of Tory MPs, around 180, to vote against him).
Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and the Border
The backbencher spoke out against the PM after was fined. Although Mr Hudson said the Ukraine war meant now was not the time for a leadership contest, he called on Mr Johnson to “outline a timetable and process for an orderly transition to a leadership election as soon as the international situation permits”.
Caroline Nokes, MP for Romsey and Southampton North
The ex-minister has said Mr Johnson was “damaging the entire Conservative brand” over Partygate, describing him as a “liability” as she called on him to quit. Ms Nokes has told a constituent she submitted a letter of no-confidence to the 1922 Committee “a long time ago”.
Anthony Mangnall, MP for Totnes
The backbencher submitted a no-confidence letter earlier this year – saying Mr Johnson’s “actions and mistruths” were overshadowing the government’s work. Mr Mangnall told a constituent he stood by the resignation call following the PM’s police fine, according to Sky News.
Tobias Ellwood, MP for Bournemouth East
The defence committee chair said it was “horrible” for Tory MPs to have to defend Partygate, and submitted a no-confidence letter earlier this year. Following the police fine, Mr Ellwood said he still believed the PM should “step back”.
Gary Streeter, MP for South West Devon
Announcing he had sent in his letter on no-confidence earlier this year, Mr Streeter said he could not “reconcile the pain and sacrifice” of the British public with “the attitude and activities of those working in Downing Street”. He told a constituent he stood by the resignation call, according to Sky News.
Peter Aldous, MP for Waveney
Mr Aldous said earlier this year he had submitted a letter to the 1922 Committee “after a great deal of soul-searching” – saying a new leader would be in “the best interests of the country, the government and the Conservative Party”. He reportedly told a constituent he “remained of this opinion”.
Sir Roger Gale, MP for North Thanet
The veteran backbencher submitted a letter of no-confidence in mid-December. Sir Roger Gale has more recently said he believed it was the wrong time for a leadership contest – but has also said he did not think Mr Johnson would lead the party into the next election.
Andrew Bridgen, MP for North West Leicestershire
The backbencher said in mid-January that he had submitted a no-confidence letter, saying he had “lost his moral authority to lead” over No 10 parties. Following the police fine Mr Bridgen said it was “not the time” to replace the PM, but also said: “This is not the end of the matter.”
Douglas Ross, MP for Moray
The Scottish leader had called on Mr Johnson to step down in mid-January, saying: “I don’t think he can continue.” But he U-turned in March – withdrawing his no-confidence letter and saying the Ukraine crisis meant it was “not the time” for leadership contests.
Following the PM’s police fine, Mr Ross again said a challenge was not right “at this time”. Asked five times on Sky News whether Mr Johnson should lead the party into the next general election, he refused to answer.
