Sajid Javid says it's 'possible' threshold to trigger leadership vote in Boris Johnson has been reached
A total of 54 letters are needed to trigger a leadership election in the current Conservative Party, with Boris Johnson's allies ramping up support of him since last Wednesday as more Tories voiced their displeasure after the Sue Gray report.
Monday 6 June 2022 14:53, UK
The health secretary has said he thinks "it is possible" the threshold has been reached to trigger a no confidence vote in Boris Johnson - but the PM will "stand his corner".
This article is now outdated. The PM will face a confidence vote on Monday evening - story here
Speculation has mounted that a leadership vote could be held in the coming days as Conservative MPs react to the findings of the Sue Gray report on partygate.
Asked by Paste BN' Kay Burley if the threshold to trigger a vote has been reached, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: "I don't know, that's the honest answer. Only my colleague Sir Graham Brady knows, as the chair of the 1922 Committee.
"We know a number of colleagues have already gone public with asking for such a vote, that's a decision for them.
"If 54 letters are reached I'm sure a vote will be called - I do think it is possible."
A total of 54 letters - 15% of Tory MPs - have to be submitted to Sir Graham for a no confidence vote to be held, but only Sir Graham knows how many have been handed in.
Mr Javid then told the BBC a no confidence in the PM "is likely" but clarified he did not support one.
The health secretary also told Paste BN if a vote is held the PM will "fight and stand his corner with a very strong case" as he insisted the public wants to see policies being delivered, which he said has happened under Mr Johnson's leadership.
Shortly after Mr Javid spoke to Paste BN, former energy and treasury minister Jesse Norman announced he sent a letter to Sir Graham as he gave a highly critical assessment of the PM's performance, saying many of his policies are un-Conservative.
Mr Norman said he has supported Mr Johnson throughout his political career but for the PM to describe himself as "vindicated" by the Sue Gray report is "grotesque".
His wife is Kate Bingham, the woman who is responsible for the successful rollout of the COVID vaccine, which Mr Johnson continually mentions as an example of positive decisions he has made.