Sajid Javid backed Boris Johnson at a press conference after senior Tory MP David Davis called on the prime minister to resign.
Mr Javid taking the media briefing to confirm plan B was being scrapped allowed Mr Johnson to avoid further questions on another bruising day for the PM amid the Partygate scandal.
Former Brexit secretary Mr Davis earlier called on him to resign in a dramatic intervention that will heap pressure on the Conservative Party leader.
Speaking at PMQs in the Commons, Mr Davis said: “ I expect my leaders to shoulder the responsibility for the actions they take.
“Yesterday he did the opposite. I will remind him of a quotation from Leo Amery to Neville Chamberlain in 1940: ‘You have sat there too long for the good you are doing… in the name of god, go.’”
It comes as more Tory MPs have submitted no confidence letters in Boris Johnson this morning, according to reports.
Government sources told Sky News that 12 new letters had been given to Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 Committee, amid growing anger over Mr Johnson’s explanation of the “partygate” scandal.
Bury South MP Christian Wakeford, who was elected in 2019, crossed the Commons floor to join Labour. He cited Boris Johnson’s “disgraceful” conduct as a reason for leaving the Tories.
