Boris Johnson has assembled a Tory leadership team as he prepares himself in case he faces a no-confidence vote, it is reported.
The prime minister is under pressure over alleged parties held at No 10 as the country tackled the Covid pandemic.
There have been new reports of officials enjoying themselves at two events on April 16 while Covid restrictions were in place for the public.
Government guidance at the time warned: “You must not socialise indoors except with your household or support bubble.
“You can meet outdoors, including in gardens, in groups of six people or two households."
Johnson has apologised to the Commons over the gatherings at Downing Street but he has suffered a severe backlash from Tory backbenchers.
It included David Davis telling Johnson in the Commons: “In the name of God, go.”
But the prime minister is putting up a fight and has reinstated a team that helped him to victory in the 2019 leadership contest to battle his corner, reported The Times.
A key figure will be Transport Secretary Grant Shapps who is believed to be looking at which MPs backed him for leader previously.
Also on board are former whips Chris Pincher, Nigel Adams and Chris Heaton Harris as well as other Johnson backers, it is reported.
Meanwhile, the prime minister himself will be phoning MPs this weekend from his Chequers home to try and get their support, it is claimed.
Johnson’s leadership team reportedly believe they have the backing of around 300 of the 359 Tory MP.
For a leadership contest there will need to be 54 letter of submitted to the chairman of the 1922 Committee in order to trigger a no-confidence vote.
And The Times reports that Conservative insiders feel it is only a matter of time before it happens.
In Downing Street people are realising that the investigation into the parties led by Sue Gray could be more damaging than previously felt, said the newspaper.
Mr Johnson’s chief of staff Dan Rosenfield is said to have told colleagues: “We might all need to fall on our swords here.”
