Speaking on Radio 4's PM programme, Environment Secretary George Eustace said the prime minister had given a "clear account" of why he went to the event, adding that the garden was used for meetings during that period. Health Secretary Sajid Javid writes on twitter he understands why people feel let down, but says Boris Johnson did the right thing apologising and politicians now "need to let the investigation complete its work".Īs we noted earlier, Justice Secretary Dominic Raab has given an interview supporting Johnson's "clear account" of the party in May 2020, while culture secretary Nadine Dorries published a very similar message to Javid - which fellow Cabinet member Michael Gove retweeted adding: "Nadine is right". More of Boris Johnson's ministerial colleagues have expressed their support for the embattled prime minister. The final pair are then put to head-to-head vote of Conservative Party members
There are currently 360 Conservative MPs, meaning 54 letters would trigger a vote of no confidence.Ī leader who loses a vote is banned from taking part in the subsequent contest to replace them, which takes place in two stages:Ĭonservative MPs put themselves up as candidates, with their colleagues voting in a series of rounds until two remain Once the chair of the committee, currently Sir Graham Brady, confirms enough letters have been lodged a vote of no confidence is held. The second is if 15% of the parliamentary party write to the chair of the backbench 1922 Committee expressing that they no longer have confidence in their leader. The first is obvious and self explanatory - the current leader of the Conservative Party resigns. While many ministers are registering their support for the PM, Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross and fellow Conservative MP William Wragg have called for Boris Johnson to resign - so it might be good to remind ourselves of the two ways a Tory prime minister can be replaced.