Partygate: Which Conservative MPs have called on Boris Johnson to quit? | Politics News

A growing number of Conservative MPs have publicly called for Boris Johnson to resign over his handling of the partygate scandal.

Some have confirmed they have sent a letter of no confidence in the prime minister to Sir Graham Brady, chair of the 1922 Committee of backbench Tory MPs.

Conservative Party rules state that at least 15% of Tory MPs must write a no-confidence letter to make a leadership challenge possible.

This currently equates to 54 MPs needing to submit a letter, however as they are handed over confidentially the only person who ever knows how many letters are in is Sir Graham himself.

What would it take for the PM to be ousted?

Theresa May faced a leadership vote after only about 24 MPs publicly said they had sent letters to Sir Graham, but as she required 48 to trigger a vote it meant only half had publicly revealed their intentions.

Sky News is keeping track of which Conservative MPs have publicly questioned the PM’s future since he was fined by the Met Police in April for breaching lockdown rules.

Below is a table of all the Conservative MPs who have publicly spoken out against the PM since he was fined in April. Underneath that are what some of the prominent Tories have said.

Andrew Bridgen

The prominent Brexiteer, who backed Mr Johnson to be leader in 2019, revealed in January he had submitted a letter of no confidence as partygate revelations ramped up.

He has voiced his displeasure with the PM following the Met Police investigation but said now is not the time for him to go as it would play “into the hand of Putin”.

Caroline Nokes

Part of the 2019 intake of MPs who helped Mr Johnson gain a large majority, Caroline Nokes confirmed after the Met Police fined the PM her letter was submitted “a very long time ago”.

Karen Bradley

The former Northern Ireland secretary said in April that if she had been a minister who was found to have broken the law “I would be tendering my resignation”. She has not confirmed she has sent a letter in.

Tobias Ellwood

A staunch critic of the PM, the Defence Committee chair confirmed he has sent a letter in and said after the Met fine: “I do believe the PM should step back.”

Sir Gary Streeter

The veteran backbencher submitted a letter in February and confirmed in April the situation remains “unchanged”.

Mark Harper

A 2019 leadership contestant and former Tory chief whip, said in April: “I no longer think he is worthy of the great office he holds.”

David Davis

The veteran Tory, former home secretary and ex-Brexit secretary has submitted a letter and said after telling the PM in the Commons “in the name of God, go” he has not changed his position.

Steve Baker

Another prominent Brexiteer, Steve Baker backed Mr Johnson in 2019 and previously submitted a letter of no confidence in Theresa May in 2018.

The MP, known for his ability to run campaigns from the backbenches, said in April he had submitted a letter and said: “The prime minister now should be long gone.”

William Wragg

Vice-chair of the 1922 Committee, the former primary school teacher confirmed he had submitted a letter in April. He said: “I cannot reconcile myself to the prime minister’s continued leadership.”

Andrew Mitchell

The veteran MP, former chief whip and ex-International Development Secretary backed Mr Johnson’s leadership in 2019 but after calling for his resignation in January, he said his view “hasn’t really changed”.

Nick Gibb

Another long-standing MP, the former schools minister said in January that to “restore trust, we need to change the prime minister”. He said his “position is unchanged”.

Sir Roger Gale

The North Thanet MP since 1983 has been an outspoken critic of Boris Johnson since before he became PM.

He told Sky News: “I believe the PM has misled the House, that’s a resignation issue.”

Stephen Hammond

A health minister under Mrs May, and former vice-chairman of the Conservative Party, the Remain supporter said after the Sue Gray report he had submitted a letter.

Sir Bob Neill

The chairman of the Commons Justice Committee revealed he had submitted a letter after the Sue Gray report, saying he does “not find his [the PM’s] assertions, either that no rules were broken or that he was unaware of the breaches, to be credible”.

Alicia Kearns

Part of the 2019 intake that helped the PM get a large majority, the MP for Rutland and Melton was named as the ringleader of the “pork pie plot” of 2019 MPs hostile to the PM over partygate.

In May, she said the PM “continues not to hold my confidence”.

Jeremy Wright

The former culture secretary and attorney general under Theresa May said on 30 May he had carefully considered the Met and Sue Gray investigations and the PM’s response.

“I have therefore, with regret, concluded that, for the good of this and future governments, the prime minister should resign,” he said.