Senior Conservatives have started to endorse calls for a general election after Boris Johnson sensationally pulled out of the Tory leadership race.
Staunch Johnson ally and former cabinet member Nadine Dorries admitted it was now "impossible" to avoid an election, after the humiliated former Prime Minister announced he would not put his name forward for a return to No10.
The 11th hour twist left his arch-rival Rishi Sunak in pole position to be 'crowned' in the top job on Monday afternoon, with sole rival Penny Mordaunt left with only hours to reach the all-important 100 signatures.