Boris Johnson no-confidence vote – live: PM insists result ‘decisive’ despite major rebellion

Boris Johnson has hailed the “decisive” result of a no-confidence vote into his leadership and said the government can now “move on” - despite a mass Tory rebellion against him.

Shortly after the ballot - which Mr Johnson won by a margin of 211 to 148 - the prime minister told broadcasters he had a “far bigger mandate” than he did when voted in as leader in 2019, adding he was “happy with that”.

Labour leader Keir Starmer said the British public was “fed up” with a prime minister that promised big and failed to deliver and who had “presided over a culture of lies and law breaking in parliament”.

Despite the victory on Monday night, Mr Johnson faces an uncertain political future. A steady stream of Tory MPs have called publicly for him to stand down in the wake of Sue Gray’s report into breaches of the Covid-19 regulations in No 10 and Whitehall.

And Tory concerns go far wider, covering his policies, which have seen the tax burden reach the highest in 70 years, and concerns about his leadership style.

Key Points

• Boris Johnson wins no-confidence ballot but 148 Tory MPs vote against him

• Divided Tories ‘propping up’ Boris Johnson, says Labour leader

• John Lamont MP confirms resignation

• Jeremy Hunt said he’ll vote for Boris Johnson to go

• Cabinet ministers including the Chancellor back PM to win vote

• PM ‘says he would repeat behaviour' outlined in Sue Gray report

Boris Johnson says vote win ‘decisive’ despite mass Tory rebellion

21:49 , Joe Middleton

Boris Johnson said the government can now “move on” following a “convincing” and “decisive” result in the vote of confidence.

He added that he is “certainly not interested in snap elections” after he won a vote of confidence in his leadership.

Mr Johnson told broadcasters: “I think this is a very good result for politics and for the country.”

Asked how it compared to past confidence votes in conservative prime ministers, he added: “I have got a far bigger mandate from my own parliamentary colleagues than I had in 2019.”

Boris Johnson vote ‘decisive’ and shows support in PM, says Tory MP

21:44 , Joe Middleton

Welsh secretary Simon Hart told the BBC tonight’s vote was “decisive” and showed increased support for Boris Johnson, who won 60 per cent of the vote tonight, compared with 51 per cent when he was elected as Tory party leader.

“Of course he’s got a lot to prove, we’ve all got a lot to prove. But the vote was pretty decisive.”

He said the ballot was an opportunity for MPs to have their say and now that he been done, everyone needed to “get behind the vote”.

He added that despite the result being worse than when Theresa May survived a no confidence vote, he said it was unfair to compare the two because May did not have a majority government. He added “we can all take a deep breath and get on with the job we’re here to do”.

Only Boris Johnson would try to carry on after a disastrous vote like this

21:42 , Joe Middleton

The Independent’s Tom Peck writes: They growled and they grunted, they barked and they brayed and they banged on their desks, but they couldn’t quite hold back the inevitable.

When Sir Graham Brady read out the numbers – 211 to 148 – they sat in their little oak-panelled room, doing the very best they could to pretend it hadn’t been a complete disaster. But it had.

You definitely can’t carry on in any meaningful way when you’ve taken a punch like that, though Johnson will certainly try.

148 of the MPs who swore what was in effect a personal allegiance to him barely two and a half years ago have decided it’s not worth it anymore. It is an unholy mess, entirely of his own making.

Only Boris Johnson would try to carry on after a vote like this

Pictured: Boris Johnson leaving House of Commons

21:39 , Joe Middleton

A stony faced Boris Johnson was pictured on Monday night leaving the House of Commons after Tory rebels failed to oust him from No 10.

British public ‘fed up’ with Boris Johnson, says Labour leader

21:37 , Joe Middleton

Reacting to the news, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the British public was “fed up” with a PM that promised big and failed to deliver and who had “presided over a culture of lies and law breaking in parliament”.

He said Boris Johnson was unfit for “the great office he holds” and said in making the choice to keep Boris Johnson as leader, Tory MPs had ignored the public and “hitched themselves to Boris Johnson and everything the represents”.

He added: “The Conservative Party now believes breaking the law is no impediment to making the law. The Conservative party now believes that the public has no right to expect honest politicians.”

Vote ‘severely damaging for PM’, says Tory MP

21:35 , Joe Middleton

Sir Roger Gale, who voted “no confidence” in Boris Johnson, said the vote is “severely damaging for him and his reputation”.

The MP for North Thanet added: “I’d be surprised if the prime minister is still in Downing Street in the autumn.”

Ukrainian president will be ‘punching the air’ after Boris Johnson vote victory, claims Zahawi

21:31 , Joe Middleton

Nadhim Zahawi said Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will be “punching the air” tonight because he knows his “great ally Boris Johnson” will be prime minister tomorrow.

Speaking to Sky News in Westminster’s central lobby after the result was announced, the Education Secretary also said that Mr Johnson won the vote “handsomely”.

He said: “I think the important thing to remember is that whichever side of the argument you’re on on this, the one thing we all believe in is democracy.

“That was a ballot, the Prime Minister won handsomely,” he added.

“I think the important thing to remember is that we only are able to deliver if we are united. I hope we can draw a line under this now and focused on delivery.”

Pressed on how he can call the result “handsome”, Mr Zahawi said: “It’s a ballot. 50 plus one is a majority. Boris did much better than that.”

Asked about whether there will now be a Tory civil war, Mr Zahawi said: “All of my colleagues, whichever way they voted, know that we win the election when we are united. People don’t vote for divided parties - that’s my message. We’re democrats above everything else and I think you’ll find every colleague - even those who voted against the Prime Minister tonight - will agree with that statement.”

Now it’s time to get on with the job, urges Truss

21:25 , Joe Middleton

Tory Party voted to keep ‘lawbreaker and liar’ in No 10, says Liberal Democrat leader

21:24 , Joe Middleton

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said that the Tory Pary is “laughing at the British public” after keeping Boris Johnson in place as prime minister.

He said : “Conservative MPs are now fully responsible for the Prime Minister’s behaviour. They have narrowly voted to keep a lawbreaker and liar in Number 10.

“Whilst Boris Johnson has clung on today - make no mistake, his reputation is in tatters and his authority is now totally shot.

“It’s clear that the Prime Minister and the Conservative Party are laughing at the British public.

“Every Conservative MP who cares about integrity and decency must do the right thing, resign the whip and sit as an independent. For the sake of our country, this failing Prime Minister cannot be propped up any longer.

“Johnson is teetering on the brink. He is too cowardly to resign - the people of Tiverton and Honiton will speak for Britain in giving their verdict on Boris Johnson in two weeks time.”

Boris Johnson survives no-confidence ballot with 148 Tory MPs voting against him

21:21 , Joe Middleton

Divided Tories ‘propping up’ Boris Johnson, says Labour leader

21:14 , Joe Middleton

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said a “divided” Conservative Party is “propping up” Boris Johnson after the prime minister survived the confidence vote.

“The choice is clearer than ever before: Divided Tories propping up Boris Johnson with no plan to tackle the issues you are facing,” he tweeted.

“Or a united Labour Party with a plan to fix the cost-of-living crisis and restore trust in politics. Labour will get Britain back on track.”

PM allies say vote win ‘comprehensive’

21:12 , Joe Middleton

Our Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports that allies of Boris Johnson declared the win “comprehensive”.

James Cleverly called on Tory MPs to respect the result.

Boris Johnson wins no-confidence ballot but 148 Tory MPs vote against him

21:07 , Joe Middleton

Boris Johnson has survived an attempt by Conservative MPs to remove him from No 10, but more than one third of his party voted against him.

The prime minister won the no-confidence vote – triggered when 54 of his MPs demanded the contest – but the margin of 211 votes to 148 is unlikely to end questions about his leadership.

One senior Tory warned of “a guerrilla war” in his party through to the next general election, with further attempts to topple Mr Johnson following the Partygate scandal.

Theresa May won a no-confidence vote in December 2018 – but was forced to resign just five months later as the blow of 117 MPs turning against her sapped her authority.

Mr Johnson is braced for losing two crucial by-elections later this month and faces a Commons inquiry into whether he lied to parliament over the No 10 parties.

Our deputy political editor Rob Merrick has the details on a night of high drama for Boris Johnson.

Boris Johnson wins no-confidence ballot but 148 Tory MPs vote against him

PM survives vote of confidence

21:02 , Joe Middleton

Prime minister Boris Johnson has survived an attempt by Tory MPs to oust him in a vote of confidence. 211 Tory MPs voted in favour and 148 against.

MPs ‘pile into room’ to hear vote result

21:00 , Joe Middleton

Many MPs have piled into the room to hear the result, including David Davis, who famously called for Boris Johnson to go, reports our Whitehall editor Kate Devlin.

No-confidence result in PM imminent

20:57 , Joe Middleton

The result will be announced at 9pm in committee room 15 in the Palace of Westminster.

Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 committee, is expected to make a brief statement announcing how many of his own MPs have backed Boris Johnson and how many want him to be sacked.

Early reports PM has won no confidence vote

20:56 , Joe Middleton

Christopher Hope, associate editor at The Daily Telegraph, has been told by Boris Johnson allies that the prime minister has won the vote of no confidence.

Tory MP from 2019 intake claims PM ‘gave as good as he got’ at 1922 Committee

20:46 , Joe Middleton

Stuart Anderson said Boris Johnson “gave as good as he got” in the 1922 Committee meeting and he “hoped” the prime minister wins the vote.

The Tory MP, who won his seat in 2019, insisted there had been “good support” for Mr Johnson among colleagues throughout the day.

Asked about reports that the meeting was tense, Mr Anderson told the BBC: “I would say the PM gave as good as he got and it was good to see him. He came out fighting, he didn’t accept a lot of the accusations.

“I was in that meeting for the whole time and I was very buoyed by it.”

Vote ‘won’t end tensions in Tory party’

20:45 , Joe Middleton

Jim Pickard, chief political correspondent at The Financial Times, has spoken to an unnamed minister who told him that the vote won’t end the tensions in the Tory Party.

He said there is a “civil war” in the party and he could not understand why anybody would want to take it over in its current state.

Final tally of public support for PM is 157 MPs

20:35 , Joe Middleton

The Daily Mail’s deputy political editor John Stevens has been keeping a running total throughout the day of the Tory MPs who have publicly backed Boris Johnson. His final tally is 157 MPs.

Conservative MP who backs PM says rebel MPs ‘guilty of believing their own hype’

20:32 , Joe Middleton

Ben Bradley said rebel MPs may be “guilty of believing their own hype” in terms of their success at winning seats but that Boris Johnson won the 2019 election for them.

The Tory MP backed the prime minister as a “huge personality” who had helped appeal to people all over the country.

Asked about speculation that the number of no confidence votes had passed 100, he told the BBC: “I’d be surprised and disappointed if that were the case.

“I think people who won those seats in 2019 have to recognise that he won that election.

“He is a huge personality who engaged with people in places where we hadn’t been able to do that.

“A lot of MPs are sometimes maybe guilty of believing their own hype in some of these elections.”

PM ‘heckled’ at 1922 meeting, claims Tory MP

20:24 , Joe Middleton

Sir Charles Walker said Boris Johnson was heckled at a meeting of the 1922 Committee on Monday.

The Tory MP for Broxbourne told Channel 4 News: “He did get heckled. Not by many people, but there was a little bit of heckling. But there was also a huge amount of support as well.”

He added: “I think the Prime Minister will win tonight, absolutely I think he’ll win, but really the important thing is what happens afterwards with the parliamentary party.

“Does the parliamentary party say ‘right, OK, we’ve had the confidence vote, is it now time to move on, get behind the Prime Minister?’

“Or will there be a temptation to sort of have a rolling maul, a guerrilla war, for the next six, 12, 18, 24 months?”

Downing Street parties ‘sickening’, says Lamont

20:07 , Emily Atkinson

John Lamont, who earlier announced he had voted against the PM, has said he found the events outlined in Sue Gray’s report “particularly shocking” and “sickening.”

Mr Lamont, who also resigned as ministerial aide to Liz Truss today, said he had “consulted very widely” with people in the Scottish Borders and there was “a lot of unhappiness”.

“I also felt it was a distraction from all the good work the government was doing,” he told the BBC

“I’m clear that I think we need a new direction, a new leader and a new style of government.”

20:02 , Emily Atkinson

The vote of confidence in Boris Johnson’s premiership has now closed.

Results are expected in an hour’s time.

Tory MP from 2019 intake votes against PM

19:55 , Emily Atkinson

Conservative MP for Bishop Auckland Dehenna Davison has announced she has voted for prime minister Boris Johnson to go in this evening’s ballot.

Ms Davison, who is the first Tory to represent the constituency since its creation in 1885, said the decision was not one she “took lightly”.

Posting on Facebook this evening, she said: “I listened carefully to all sides, and particularly to the many constituents who contacted me sharing their thoughts and experiences. Weighing it all up, I voted against the prime minister tonight.

“I hope that, whatever the result, we politicians can now fully focus on the things we were elected to do for you. (And that is why I won’t be commenting further on this now!)”

Watch: Tory MP John Lamont resigns as Liz Truss' ministerial aide to vote against Boris Johnson

19:50 , Emily Atkinson

19:39 , Emily Atkinson

The queue of Tory MPs waiting to cast their vote in this evening’s ballot has fallen away following the PMs appearance.

According to journalists present, prominent ministers were able to enter the committee room straight away without waiting.

Rees-Mogg compares confidence vote to game of cricket

19:34 , Emily Atkinson

Four of six Scottish Tory MPs vote for PM to go

19:31 , Emily Atkinson

So far, four of six Scottish Conservative MPs have voted against the prime minister in this evening’s confidence ballot:

• Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross

• Former Scottish secretary David Mundell

• John Lamont, who also resigned as ministerial aide to Liz Truss today

• Andrew Bowie, MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine

John Lamont confirms resignation

19:25 , Emily Atkinson

John Lamont, the MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk, has confirmed his resignation as a ministerial aide to the foreign secretary.

Tweeting this evening, he also said he had voted against Boris Johnson in Monday’s confidence ballot.

He said in a statement shared on social media: “The events in Downing Street during the lockdown were unacceptable. People across the country have been rightly deeply angered by what went on.

“Whilst I recognise that changes have been made in Downing Street, the unfortunate reality is that the Government has become overwhelmed by these events, to the detriment of my constituents and people across the United Kingdom.”

Another Scottish Conservative votes against PM

19:23 , Emily Atkinson

In another blow to Boris Johnson’s premiership from the Scottish arm of the party, Andrew Bowie, MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, has voted in favour of ousting the PM.

Posting on Twitter, he said: “Tonight, and with a heavy heart, I have taken the extremely tough decision to vote against the prime minister. I have not taken the decision lightly, at all, but after listening to my constituents.

“They remain understandably angry and upset at what has happened, this was the only choice for the good of the country.”

19:18 , Emily Atkinson

Here’s the latest update from our Whitehall editor Kate Devlin:

Boris Johnson has arrived to vote for himself in his confidence vote.

Other reports say he arrived flanked by defence secretary Ben Wallace, who earlier today pledged his “full confidence” in the PM.

David Mundell MP appears to vote against PM

19:16 , Emily Atkinson

Former Scotland secretary David Mundell has appeared to have voted against the PM in this evening’s vote of confidence.

Posting on Twitter this evening, he said: “After a difficult couple of years and listening to the views of my constituents, I voted tonight for a fresh start and new leadership for our country.”

Mr Mundell was sacked from Cabinet when Mr Johnson came to power in 2019.

Rees-Mogg goes back on May confidence vote comments

19:13 , Emily Atkinson

Cabinet Office minister Jacob Rees-Mogg has said he was “mistaken” to suggest that former prime minister Theresa May had lost the confidence of too many Tories in 2019.

When asked what victory would look like for Boris Johnson, Mr Rees-Mogg said: “One is enough.”

Asked about remarks he made about Mrs May’s confidence vote in 2019, he added: “When I said that, everybody said to me I was wrong.

“I was wrong on two grounds. One is that democracy requires that one is enough, and the other is that it was ungenerous.

“Somebody has won and I accepted that, that I think that I was mistaken in saying that there were secret, hidden rules.

“I don’t think there are, but of course then Theresa May then lost parliamentary votes and that was what led to her going rather than the vote of confidence.”

John Lamont MP resigns as PPS to Liz Truss

18:55 , Emily Atkinson

John Lamont MP has resigned as parliamentary private secretary to Liz Truss, reports suggest.

ITV News understands that the MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk stepped down as right-hand man to the foreign secretary in order to vote against the PM in this evening’s confidence ballot.

Michael Gove arrives to cast vote on PM’s leadership

18:46 , Emily Atkinson

Secretary of state for levelling up Michael Gove has arrived to cast his vote on Boris Johnson’s premiership, reports our Whitehall editor Kate Devlin.

He earlier claimed on Twitter that the PM would have his backing this evening, adding: “We need to move past this moment and unite behind Boris.”

18:36 , Emily Atkinson

Demonstrations strike up outside Westminster as MPs cast their votes:

18:27 , Emily Atkinson

Here’s an update from the ballot at Westminster this evening:

Father of the House Sir Peter Bottomley was the first Conservative MP to vote.

Other early voters included foreign secretary Liz Truss and home office minister Kit Malthouse.

Meanwhile, chancellor Rishi Sunak has reportedly just joined the back of the queue.

According to our Whitehall editor Kate Devlin, former prime minister Theresa May has joined the queue to vote on Boris Johnson’s political future, dressed in a ball gown.

‘A win’ if PM victorious by one vote, says Tory source

18:15 , Emily Atkinson

A senior Conservative source has claimed that the mood in the meeting of the 1922 Committee was “pretty upbeat”.

The case for Boris Johnson to stay is “persuasive”, the souce said, adding that they do not think “anybody’s claiming at this point in time that there are the votes to end his premiership tonight”.

They said they would consider it “a win” if the PM was victorious by one vote, but “hopefully it’s going to be better than that”.

Tory MP accused of rape can vote in Boris Johnson no-confidence ballot

18:10 , Emily Atkinson

A Tory MP who has been accused of rape will be allowed to take part in Boris Johnson’s no-confidence vote.

It was revealed last month that an unnamed male politician, in his 50s, had been arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault and released on bail.

Tory chief whip Chris Heaton-Harris told the MP to stay away from Parliament but he was not suspended by the Conservative Party.

Despite the allegations levelled against the MP, he will be allowed to vote through a proxy, if he wishes, because he is not allowed to come onto the Westminster estate.

My colleague Joe Middleton reports:

Tory MP accused of rape can vote in Boris Johnson no-confidence ballot

18:01 , Emily Atkinson

Tory MPs will now start voting on whether they have confidence in Boris Johnson’s leadership of the Conservative Party.

The result of the ballot will be announced at 9pm.

Sue Gray report ‘very disappointing’ and ‘frustrating,’ says attorney general

17:54 , Emily Atkinson

Attorney general Suella Braverman said the findings of the Sue Gray report and police probe into lockdown rule-breaking in Downing Street were “very disappointing” and “frustrating”, but that the prime minister had been “straightforward” and taken responsibility.

Asked how she felt about Boris Johnson having broken the law on Covid, she told the BBC: “Listen, we’re all disappointed about the findings of the Met investigation and the Sue Gray report, no-one’s going to sugar-coat that.

“It’s very disappointing, it’s frustrating, given the sacrifices that British people went through during Covid.

“I think the prime minister has been very straightforward with taking responsibility, making changes, apologising and actually recognising the depth of concern and hurt that many people have felt.”

PA

Johnson told of confidence ahead of Sunday jubilee appearance, reports say

17:50 , Emily Atkinson

Poll: Who should replace Boris Johnson? Have your say

17:42 , Emily Atkinson

Is the PM’s time up? As Johnson faces a no-confidence vote, who do you think should be next Tory leader?

Let us know by casting your vote here:

Who should replace Boris Johnson? Have your say

PM ‘says he would repeat behaviour' outlined in Sue Gray report

17:34 , Emily Atkinson

Here’s the latest from our political editor Andrew Woodcock, who has spoken to a Conservative MP in the room for the PM’s speech in front of the 1922 Committee:

Boris Johnson was challenged over the removal of references to the principle of integrity in his recent foreword to the ministerial code of conduct, but told MPs that it remained in the text of the code.

Challenged over his handling of the Partygate allegations and his initial insistence in the Commons that no rules had been broken in No 10, he replied: “I’d do it again.”

One critic of the prime minister told The Independent that the mood in the meeting appeared generally supportive, but added: “It’s difficult to know how much that means. People will thump tables and applaud and cheer and then go out and vote against him.”

Penny Mordaunt refuses to indicate if she will vote against PM

17:21 , Emily Atkinson

Trade minister Penny Mordaunt has insisted that Boris Johnson has “always” had her loyalty, but has refused to indicate exactly how she will vote in this evening’s confidence ballot.

Speaking to Portsmouth Live today, Ms Mordaunt said she did not “choose this prime minister”, but added: “I didn’t support him in the leadership contest but he has always had my loyalty because I think that’s what you do when you have a democratic process – you select a leader and then you owe that person your loyalty.”

She has also been pitted as a potential replacement for Mr Johnson should his party put terminate his leadership today, the details of which can be read in the piece below, written by Matt Mathers:

Who could replace Boris Johnson as PM?

Veteran Tory MP says he will vote against PM

17:10 , Emily Atkinson

Conservative MP for Poole Sir Robert Syms said he will be voting against the prime minister in Monday’s confidence vote.

He tweeted: “Although a secret ballot, I intend to vote no in the confidence vote this evening.”

Tory MPs say they will back ‘electoral dynamite’ PM

17:04 , Emily Atkinson

There was loud banging on desks as Mr Johnson completed his speech to the 1922 Committee - the traditional Westminster way of voicing approval, writes our political editor Andrew Woodcock.

Emerging from the meeting, Wolverhampton South West MP Stuart Anderson, a member of the 2019 intake, said that Mr Johnson had “explained what’s happened and come out humbly, but come out fighting”.

Mr Anderson said: “He’s been very clear that the only loser tonight - well, the main losers - will be the Conservative Party and the British people. We will put Labour in power if we spend the next amount of weeks, months, years navel-gazing, and it isn’t what anybody wants.”

Aldershot MP Leo Docherty said he would be backing Mr Johnson in this evening’s vote because he is “electoral dynamite”.

Douglas Ross to vote against PM

16:58 , Emily Atkinson

The leader of the Scottish Conservatives has announced he will support this evening’s motion of no confidence in Boris Johnson.

Douglas Ross said he has heard “loud and clear” the anger of his Moray consituents and the wider British public over the breaches of lockdown rules in No 10, which he said has led him to the conclusion that he cannot “in good faith” support the prime minister.

Here is his statement in full:

‘Loud support’ for PM, insists Rees-Mogg

16:54 , Emily Atkinson

Here’s the latest from our political editor Andrew Woodcock:

Johnson loyalist Jacob Rees-Mogg said that the prime minister held out the prospect of future tax cuts as he addressed Tory MPs in a Commons committee room ahead of this evening’s confidence vote.

The Brexit minister said that there was “loud support” for the PM, who spoke and took questions for around 20 minutes.

Mr Rees-Mogg said: “He set out what he is doing as leader, what he has done as leader - he has delivered Brexit, he got us through Covid, he brought together a coalition to deal with Ukraine - and what he’s going to do, how you deal with cost of living crisis, how you make the economy grow, but we need tax cuts to invigorate the economy we need productivity gains.

“So it was basically looking at the successes of his leadership, and also what we’re going to do in future. There’s a clear message, a clear vision, and nobody else has this clarity.”

PM tells Tory MPs ‘best is yet to come’ in last-ditch bid for support

16:47 , Emily Atkinson

Boris Johnson has told Tory MPs who will later decide the fate of his premiership that he will lead the party to victory again” and that “the winners will be the people of this country”.

According to our Whitehall editor Kate Devlin, the prime minsiter also told the 1922 Committee that the best of his leadership was “yet to come” ahead of this evening’s confidence vote.

Another key point from Mr Johnson’s speech to MPs this afternoon was his suggestion that the vote was media driven, insisting instead it was a “pointless, fratricidal debate.”

“What builds trust in a government is delivery,” he also said.

Mr Johnson also suggested he would cut taxes. The Tories, which pride themselves on being the party of low-taxation, has come under fire repeatedly for the series considerable tax rises of late, dubbed by many as being “un-Conservative”.

Cabinet minister insists PM will lead Tories into next election

16:35 , Emily Atkinson

Cabinet minister James Cleverly has insisted that Boris Johnson would lead the party at the next general election.

Asked if he would head up the Conservatives at the election, Mr Cleverly said: “Yes, I believe so,” reports The Independent’s Whitehall editor Kate Devlin.

Prominent backbench MP says he will vote against PM

16:30 , Emily Atkinson

Tory MP Steve Baker has said he will vote against the prime minister in this evening’s confidence vote.

The MP for Wycombe said: “I’m terribly regretful, this is an awful moment,” but said he would not back the PM, reports our Whitehall editor Kate Devlin.

Mr Baker was a prominent backbench Brexit supporter, and previously submitted a letter of no confidence in Theresa May.

He also backed Boris Johnson when Ms May stood down in July 2019.

PM warns MPs of ‘utter disaster’ if Labour take office - sources

16:25 , Emily Atkinson

In a last ditch attempt to cling on to his premiership, Boris Johnson was expected to tell MPs it was a “chance to stop talking about ourselves and start talking exclusively about what we are doing for the people of this country”, sources said.

“The people in this room won the biggest electoral victory for the Conservatives for 40 years under my leadership,” he wasalso expected to say.

The prime minister was also expected to warn Tory MPs about the dangers of an “utter disaster” if Labour took office, in alliance with the SNP, if the Conservatives “descend into some pointless fratricidal debate about the future of our party”.

More than half of Tory faithful believe MPs should vote to remove Boris Johnson, survey shows

16:18 , Emily Atkinson

More than half of the Conservative faithful believe Tory MPs should vote to remove Boris Johnson as leader, according to a new survey.

The finding — published by the Conservative Home website — comes just hours before a no confidence vote, and will raise the alarm in No 10 as the prime minister prepares to address the party.

The survey of 1,058 Tory activists shows that 58 per cent agreed that MPs should vote to remove Mr Johnson while 41 per cent were opposed.

A similar panel, according to Conservative Home, gave the prime minister a 93 per cent approval rating in the wake of his resounding victory at the 2019 winter general election.

Ashley Cowburn has the details here:

More than half of Tory faithful believe MPs should vote to remove PM, survey shows

Phones to be taken from Tory MPs before no-confidence vote to stop them breaking ‘no photos’ rule

16:10 , Thomas Kingsley

Mobile phones will be confiscated from Conservative MPs voting to decide Boris Johnson’s fate – because they cannot be trusted to stick to the rule not to post pictures of their ballot papers.

When Theresa May faced her no-confidence vote in 2018, MPs were ordered not to photograph their voting slips, but two disobeyed the instruction.

As a result, party officials have decided reluctantly they have no option but to remove phones when the 2022 cohort decides, this evening, whether Mr Johnson should remain in No 10.

Read the full report from our deputy political editor, Rob Merrick:

Phones taken from Tory MPs before vote on PM to stop them breaking ‘no photos’ rule

Boris Johnson has arrived to address his MPs

16:03 , Thomas Kingsley

Boris Johnson has arrived to make his pitch to Tory MPs in a bid to save his career ahead of a no-confidence vote.

According to our Whitehall correspondent, cheers and banging of tables can already be heard.

BBC have reported that the prime minister will tell his MPs in the private meeting: “This is the time to lift our gaze from our navel.”

He is expected to also tell Tories: “We can get on, we can deliver, we can unite.”

The PM’s allies believe he is on course to win tonight’s vote - and are asking Tory MPs the point of voting against him, only to weaken the government.

Boris Johnson’s meeting to rally MPs support set to begin

16:00 , Thomas Kingsley

Boris Johnson’s meeting to rally Tory MPs to support him ahead of a no-confidence vote is set to begin as Theresa May has arrived at the meeting, according to our Whitehall editor, Kate Devlin.

Boris Johnson found out about the no-confidence vote ‘before Queen’s Platinum Jubilee pageant'

15:55 , Thomas Kingsley

The Telegraph’s political editor, Ben Riley-Smith detailed the story of how Boris Johnson found out the threshold for a no-confidence vote had been reached.

According to Mr Riley-Smith, Boris Johnson found out before the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee pageant on Sunday and had an extensive conversation with Sir Graham Brady about when to hold the vote, which the prime minister agreed to have sooner rather than later.

Once Mr Johnson was out of the pageant, he got his closest political confidants to meet him in the Downing St flat around 6pm to work out how to save his political career.

The meeting which was said to be “business-like” lasting about three hours included Steve Barclay, Chief of Staff, Chris Heaton-Harris, Chief Whip and Nigel Adams, Cab Office minister among others.

How the no-confidence vote will work

15:45 , Thomas Kingsley

To begin, MPs will be asked to choose from two options: “I have confidence in Boris Johnson as the leader of the Conservative Party” and “I do not...”

They’ll then vote one at a time between 6pm to 8pm in a secret ballot box in a large Commons committee room - and in a new ruling, they will have to leave their phones at the door.

MPs will enter through one door, and leave through another. MPs will be allowed to act as proxies for up to two other MPs - but will have to go to the back of the queue for each one, Mikey Smith has said.

Following the vote, ballot papers will be counted in the room and then shredded and the result will subsequently be made in another room down the corridor.

If Boris Johnson loses the vote, he'll automatically cease to be Tory leader - and won't be allowed to stand in the leadership contest.

Read the full story below:

How does a no-confidence vote work and should Boris Johnson be worried?

PM in ‘good spirits’ ahead of no-confidence vote, Estonian PM says

15:30 , Thomas Kingsley

Prime minister Boris Johnson is in “good” spirits ahead of the confidence vote, according to Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who had just spoken with him.

When asked by the PA news agency what Mr Johnson’s mood was like as she came out of Number 10, Ms Kallas paused for a moment before saying: “Good.”

The leaders had been meeting to discuss the war in Ukraine.

Over 50 per cent of Conservative Party members say MPs should not vote to remove Boris Johnson

15:25 , Thomas Kingsley

Ahead of tonight’s no-confidence vote, two in five (42 per cent) Conservative party members say Tory MPs should vote to remove Johnson as Party leader while 53 per cent say that should not vote to remove him as leader, according to a YouGov poll.

When asked if Conservative MPs were right or wrong to have submitted letters of no confidence in Johnson, half (50 per cent) of Conservative Party members said that they were right to do so, with 44 per cent saying it was wrong.

If Boris Johnson were to win the vote of confidence this evening, but only by only a small margin, two in five (39 per cent) Conservative Party members say that he should resign anyway, with six in ten (58 per cent) saying that he should stay on as prime minster and party leader.

Should MPs vote to get rid of Johnson, there is no clear candidate party members are rallying around. Of 11 potential leadership candidates YouGov asked about, the most popular was defence secretary Ben Wallace, but with just 12 per cent of the vote.

Foreign secretary Liz Truss comes second on 11 per cent of the vote, while Jeremy Hunt – who was defeated by Boris Johnson in the 2019 leadership contest – comes third on 10 per cent.

PM has record of ‘defying expectations’ attorney general says

15:15 , Thomas Kingsley

Attorney general Suella Braverman today said Boris Johnson has a long record of "defying expectations".

Speaking to Sky News, she added: "A lot of people... have underestimated Boris Johnson time and time again, writing him off, assuming that he won't win and he's defied their expectations blisteringly.

"So I really want to remind them of the capacity that Boris Johnson has to deliver, importantly, but also to win elections and I think we've got a great prime minister.

"Let's get behind him and support him."

From The Times’ Patrick Maguire

15:00 , Thomas Kingsley

‘The PM will win comfortably tonight’ - Nadine Dorries

14:55 , Thomas Kingsley

Culture secretary Nadine Dorries has said Boris Johnson is going to win the no-confidence vote tonight.

“There are many big issues that we need to get on with, this is distracting,” Ms Dorries told BBC.

She added: “What I say to those rebels is 14 million people voted for the prime minister , the highest number of people who voted for a prime minister since Margaret Thatcher.

“Is it really the place of a minority of MPs to override the result of 14 million people and a majority of 83 - I don’t think it is and I don’t think that’s how it works.

“I think we’re in a difficult situation I’m not going to lie, it’s a day we want to get out of the way because we know the PM is going to win comfortably.”

Watch: Boris Johnson’s anti-corruption tsar resigns ahead of no-confidence vote

14:50 , Thomas Kingsley

14:35 , Thomas Kingsley

Former Tory chief whip Andrew Mitchell said that while he had not submitted a letter to Sir Graham Brady, he would be voting against Boris Johnson in tonight's confidence vote.

Mr Mitchell said that even if Mr Johnson survived the vote he would probably still be damaged.

“I very much fear if he does win tonight it will be a Pyrrhic victory,” he told BBC Radio 4's The World at One.

“He needs to look himself in the mirror and ask himself what is in the best interests of our country and of our party.”

Mr Mitchell said that after a visit he made to a beacon-lighting event in his Sutton Coldfield constituency to mark the Platinum Jubilee, it was clear the public had turned against Mr Johnson.

“As I walked through the crowd it was very clear that the Prime Minister has not only lost the dressing room he has also lost quite a lot of people in the stands,” he said.

Tory MP accused of rape ‘allowed to vote in confidence ballot'

14:20 , Matt Mathers

A Tory MP accused of rape will be allowed to cast a ballot in tonight's confidence vote, it is reported.

Kate Ferguson, The Sun's deputy politics editor, said the male MP was allowed to do so because he has not had the whip suspended.

The vote is scheduled to take place from 6-8pm.

14:20 , Thomas Kingsley

Education secretary Nadhim Zahawi has said it will be a "disaster" if Boris Johnson is ousted - but refused to rule himself out as a candidate to replace him if the prime minister loses the confidence vote.

Mr Zahawi told BBC Radio 4's The World At One programme: "It would be a disaster for us to now rid ourselves of a leader who has made the tough calls when it really mattered to this nation.

"To change a prime minister is to destabilise this Government when there is war in Europe. To destabilise the Government is a recipe for failure and for loss and I am not in the business of doing that."

Pressed to say whether he could be a candidate in a leadership election if Mr Johnson was defeated, Mr Zahawi said: "I am not going to do that because Boris will be our prime minister."

All the key numbers in tonight’s vote

14:05 , Matt Mathers

Boris Johnson faces a confidence vote later after the number of MPs submitting letters to the 1922 Committee passed the 54 threshold.

The prime minister needs the support of 180 MPs to win - but is simply winning enough to end questions about his leadership?

My colleague Holly Bancroft looks at the key numbers involved in the vote and how they compare to previous ballots held against Mr Johnson’s predecessors.

The key numbers to watch out for in the Boris Johnson no-confidence vote

Potential successor Mordaunt fails to explicitly back Johnson

13:50 , Matt Mathers

A government minister has failed to explicitly say if she will back Boris Johnson in tonight's confidence vote.

Penny Mordaunt, a trade minister touted as a potential successor to the prime minister, made clear that she did not back Mr Johnson in the 2019 leadership contest.

She added, however, that she had been loyal to the PM since then. But she would not say if she planned to vote to keep him in office.

Speaking to The News, a local newspaper in her Portsmouth constituency, she said: "I didn’t choose this prime minister, I didn’t support him in the leadership contest but he has always had my loyalty because I think that’s what you do when you have a democratic process – you select a leader and then you owe that person your loyalty.

"That’s always been my approach, whatever differences I’ve had with people and that remains. I’m one of his ministers and I have continued to support him."

She added: "I hope that we can return swiftly to the real business at hand which is getting growth back into the economy and continuing our support in the Ukraine.

"I think being here, at the D-Day memorial in Portsmouth today, is a reminder of what’s really important outside the Westminster bubble."

Scottish secretary backs Johnson

13:30 , Matt Mathers

Scottish secretary Alister Jack has said he will support the prime minister in a confidence vote.

Mr Jack, unlike others in the Scottish Tories, has been steadfastly behind the PM throughout his tenure.

"The prime minister has my full support, and I will be voting to back him tonight," he said on Monday.

"He is showing tremendous leadership as we face major challenges at home and abroad.

"I have no doubt that my colleagues in the parliamentary party will vote to show their confidence in the prime minister."

The spotlight now falls on Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross, who was among the most senior Tories calling for the PM’s resignation at the turn of the year when reports of parties in Downing Street during lockdown surfaced.

Mr Ross eventually reversed course, citing the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the need for stability at the top of government to deal with the situation.

Labour MPs react as Nadine Dorries calls government Covid preparation ‘inadequate'

13:15 , Thomas Kingsley

Labour has reacted to Nadine Dorries taking aim at Jeremy Hunt calling the government’s Covid preparation “was found wanting and inadequate.”

Labour MP for Tooting, Dr Rosena Allin-Khan said: “You were a Health Minister during a pandemic, who: wasted billions of pounds on a botched Test & Trace system, refused 8 times, to meet me to discuss NHS staff mental health, Failed to stock enough PPE, meaning NHS staff weren't protected.”

Feryal Clark Labour MP for Enfield North added: “We now have Tory cabinet ministers stating on the record how un-prepared the Government was for the pandemic.

“This is a party completely unfit to govern our country.”

13:00 , Thomas Kingsley

John Steven’s thread of Tory MP supporting Boris Johnson is now at 82 and counting, moving up from 44 when we reported it earlier.

Boris Johnson will need 180 Tory MPs to support him in the vote to survive.

Watch: Vote of no confidence: How does it work?

12:50 , Thomas Kingsley

Nadine Dorries challenges Jeremy Hunt after he declares he will vote against Boris Johnson

12:49 , Thomas Kingsley

Culture secretary Nadine Dorries has taken to Twitter to challenge Jeremy Hunt after the former leadership candidate announced he would be voting against Boris Johnson.

Following the announcement of the former health secretary, Ms Dorries responded writing: “Your pandemic preparation during six years as health secretary was found wanting and inadequate. Your duplicity right now in destabilising the party and country to serve your own personal ambition, more so.

She added: “You told others that PM and Gov would swiftly collapse on back of Brexit and you would swoop in. You told me as much in Victoria St after GE. If you had been leader you’d have handed the keys of No10 to Corbyn. You’ve been wrong about almost everything, you are wrong again now.”

Nadine Dorries tweeted earlier declaring her support for Boris Johnson in this evening’s leadership vote, in line with almost all the Cabinet office.

Opinium poll on public view of confidence vote shows 59 per cent think Tory MPs should oust Boris

12:40 , Thomas Kingsley

A poll on the no-confidence vote in Boris Johnson later this evening has 59 per cent of the public in the belief that Tory MPs should oust Boris Johnson.

The prime minister is set to face a vote of no-confidence after the threshold of 54 letters was submitted to the chair of the 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady.

Sir Graham announced the vote this morning and confirmed results would be announced after.

According to the poll, 28 per cent of voters think Tory MPs should keep Boris Johnson while 13 per cent of the public “don’t know.”

Boris Johnson has regular call with President Zelensky

12:30 , Thomas Kingsley

In his third social media post since the confidence vote was announced, Boris Johnson shared a picture of himself on the phone to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

"President (Zelensky) just updated me on the ongoing battle against Russian aggression in the Donbas," the prime minister tweeted.

"It's clear the Ukrainian people will not bow to Russian brutality. We're unwavering in our mission of ensuring Ukraine is defended and supported for the long-term."

In an earlier tweet, his second since the announcement after an earlier post about rocket launchers being sent to Ukraine, Mr Johnson congratulated Gareth Bale and the Wales football team for reaching the World Cup finals, adding: "Brilliant to see two UK nations in the competition."

Merseyside's only Tory MP refuses to back Boris Johnson ahead of no confidence vote

12:20 , Thomas Kingsley

Merseyside's only Conservative MP has refused to back Boris Johnson ahead of tonight's vote of no confidence in the prime minister.

In a statement to Liverpool Echo, Damien Moore said: “I welcome that a vote of confidence has now been called into the Prime Minister’s leadership, which will take place later today. Conservative Prime Ministers rightly require not only the support of the country at large, but of the Parliamentary party too, in order to govern with any authority.

“From conversations with my constituents, I am very aware of the hurt and anger that the Prime Minister’s actions have caused, and so with the requisite number of the Conservative Parliamentary Party having now called for it, it is right that this vote takes place.

“As I have said before, I have never supported anyone blatantly breaking the covid rules, which were put in place to protect us all, and which the Sue Gray report, and the Metropolitan Police investigation, have now concluded that the current Prime Minister broke. I will publish an update after the result is announced.”

NEW: Boris Johnson will not be distracted from business of government, No 10 says

12:15 , Thomas Kingsley

Boris Johnson will not be distracted from the business of government by the confidence vote by Tory MPs, Downing Street has said.

The prime minister's official spokesman said: "The Prime Minister is firmly of the view that he will not be distracted from the key issues facing the UK and the world. That is illustrated by the call he had with (Ukrainian President) Zelensky this morning.

"Equally there are key domestic challenges - not least the Covid backlog, the cost-of-living pressures - I think he will be taking more action on in due course."

Boris Johnson calls on MPs to end ‘media’ favourite obsession’ in letter ahead of vote

12:07 , Thomas Kingsley

In a letter to Tory MPs Boris Johnson claims he has shown that he can be “trusted to deliver bold and innovative solutions to difficult and longstanding problems”.

He has called on MPs to use the no-confidence vote to put an end to “the media’s favourite obsession.”

Boris Johnson wrote: “I know that over recent months I have come under a great deal of fire, and I know that experience has been painful for the whole party.

“Some of that criticism has perhaps been fair, some less so. Where there have been valid points, I have listened and learned and made significant changes.

“And I will of course continue to listen and learn from colleagues about the improvements you wish to see.

“But I cannot stress too much that we have a golden chance to put this behind us now.

“With your support, I believe that tonight we have a great prize within our grasp. We can put an end to the media’s favourite obsession. We can get on with the job without the noises off.

“And I am absolutely confident that if we can unite in the days ahead then in due course we will win again, repay the trust of the 14 million who voted for us, and continue to serve the country we love.”

Read the full story below:

Boris Johnson writes to MPs asking for support in no confidence vote

Jacob Rees-Mogg said many Tory MPs 'owe their seats directly to Boris Johnson’

11:55 , Thomas Kingsley

Jacob Rees-Mogg said many Tory MPs "owe their seats directly to Boris Johnson" ahead of a confidence vote in the prime minister.

Speaking to Sky News about his vocal backing for Mr Johnson on Monday, the Brexit opportunities minister said: "Nobody has had forced me to come out support an exceptional, good, forward-looking prime minister."

On Mr Johnson's meeting with Conservative MPs later, Mr Rees-Mogg said: "He needs to remind people of what he's achieved, and the election victory was a very personal victory.

"There are a lot of members of Parliament who owe their seats directly to Boris Johnson and he has a mandate from the British people and that is important," he added.

"We are a representative democracy, but MPs are answerable to their constituents and he got a mandate directly from them."

Challenged that at least 15 per cent of the Tory MPs now have no confidence in Mr Johnson, Mr Rees-Mogg said: "The thing about 15 per cent is it means 85 per cent on the other side of the equation," adding that it is "not that many".

When will no-confidence vote in Boris Johnson take place?

11:45 , Thomas Kingsley

Boris Johnson is to face a vote on his leadership of the Conservative Party just hours after it was announced the threshold for triggering the ballot had been passed.

Sir Graham Brady, the chair of the backbench 1922 Committee, confirmed in a statement on Monday morning that at least 54 Tory rebels had submitted letters of no-confidence in the PM.

Read more here for all the details on when the vote will take place

Boris Johnson should stay on even if he only wins no-confidence ballot by one vote, says Jacob Rees-Mogg

11:35 , Thomas Kingsley

Boris Johnson should stay on as prime minister even if he only wins tonight’s no-confidence ballot by one vote, minister for Brexit opportunities Jacob Rees-Mogg has said.

Speaking to Sky News, Mr Rees-Mogg said even if Mr Johnson did not win a substantial victory in the vote this evening the PM would still hold a strong mandate for government.

“In a democracy, one is enough,” Mr Rees-Mogg said. “I think that the idea that there is a barrier different from the absolute barrier is false.”

Read the full report below:

Jacob Rees-Mogg: Johnson should stay even if he only wins no-confidence vote by one

BREAKING: Boris Johnson’s anti-corruption champion resigns

11:21 , Thomas Kingsley

John Penrose, the prime minister’s anti-corruption champion has resigned.

Announcing his decision by letter to the prime minister Mr Penrose said the Sue Gray report had revealed Boris Johnson had broken “a fundamdental principle of the ministerial code.”

“I’m afraid it wouldn’t be honourable or right for me to remain as your anti-corruption champion after reaching this conclusion nor for you to remain as prime minister.

“I hope you will now stand aside so we can look to the future and choose your successor.”

No confidence vote: Everything you need to know about the challenge to Boris Johnson’s leadership

11:20 , Thomas Kingsley

With a no-confidence vote coming this evening, below is everything you need to know about the vote from when it is to how it works.

Everything you need to know about the no confidence vote in Boris Johnson

PM to address 1922 Committee at 4pm

11:15 , Thomas Kingsley

Boris Johnson will address the 1922 Committee at Portcullis House in Westminster this afternoon, ahead of today's confidence vote, the BBC and Sky News have reported.

Watch: No-confidence vote a good chance to unite party, says Javid

11:10 , Thomas Kingsley

Tory MP Angela Richardson declares she will vote against Boris Johnson

11:07 , Thomas Kingsley

Tory MP Angela Richardson has also declared that she will be voting against the prime minister in the no-confidence vote.

The Guildford MP said: “From the very beginning of the issues surrounding the prime minister’s conduct during the lockdown period and his subsequent answers to parliamentary questions, I have been consistent in my views about the standards people expect of those in high office.

“Last week, I made a statement following the publication of the full Sue Gray report that questioned whether those standards had been upheld. The deep disappointment I expressed in a previous statement in January has not abated.

“Given that, I will be voting No Confidence in Boris Johnson this evening.”

BREAKING: Jeremy Hunt announces he will vote to oust Boris Johnson

10:58 , Thomas Kingsley

Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced he will vote against Boris Johnson in the no-confidence vote this evening.

Writing on Twitter Mr Hunt said: “Having been trusted with power, Conservative MPs know in our hearts we are not giving the British people the leadership they deserve. We are not offering the integrity, competence and vision necessary to unleash the enormous potential of our country.

“Anyone who believes our country is stronger, fairer & more prosperous when led by Conservatives should reflect that the consequence of not changing will be to hand the country to others who do not share those values. Today’s decision is change or lose. I will be voting for change.”

Jeremy Hunt was beaten by Boris Johnson in the 2019 leadership contest and has since not hidden his ambitions to be prime minister one day, although he has not yet made another leadership bid.

Tory MPs publicly backing Boris Johnson in tonight’s vote

10:50 , Thomas Kingsley

Boris Johnson needs the support of 180 MPs to survive the no-confidence vote. With bookies favouring the PM to survive, below is a list of 44 MPs and counting who have declared their support for Boris Johnson.

Most of the Cabinet has voiced their support for the PM, but backbench MPs have also vowed to stick with Mr Johnson in tonight’s vote.

Boris Johnson backed to win Vote of Confidence, but odds-on to leave this year - Betfair Exchange

10:40 , Thomas Kingsley

According to Betfair Exchange, Boris Johnson is 2/5 to win a vote of confidence in his leadership of the Tory party after the motion was triggered this morning.

However, the prime minister is odds-on at 5/6 to leave No.10 this year. Jeremy Hunt is the 9/2 favourite to replace Johnson as Conservative leader, while Liz Truss, who has backed her colleague on social media, is 7/1 to succeed him.

Smarkets has Boris Johnson at a 73 per cent chance of winning tonight's vote - it was closer to 50/50 when it was first announced this morning but the likelihood of him winning it has increased.

Jeremy Hunt is the current favourite to succeed Johnson as Conservative leader, although his probability is only 17 per cent. Liz Truss (12 per cent), Penny Mordaunt (11 per cent) and Tom Tugendhat (11 per cent) are the only other contenders with a double-figure chance.

‘Judgement Day' for Boris Johnson - Sir Ed Davey says

10:25 , Thomas Kingsley

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said the confidence vote marks "judgment day" for the Prime Minister.

"It's judgment day for Conservative MPs and their sleaze-ridden prime minister," he tweeted

"If they fail to sack Boris Johnson, it will be an insult to all those who made sacrifices and suffered while he partied."

It comes as Scottish Secretary Alister Jack will support the Prime Minister in Monday's confidence vote.

Mr Jack, who has never wavered in his backing for Boris Johnson during Partygate, said he had "no doubt" that other Tory MPs will also back the Prime Minister and keep him in Downing Street.

"The Prime Minister has my full support, and I will be voting to back him tonight," he said.

"He is showing tremendous leadership as we face major challenges at home and abroad.

"I have no doubt that my colleagues in the parliamentary party will vote to show their confidence in the prime minister."

10:15 , Thomas Kingsley

In his first public statement since the confidence vote was announced, Boris Johnson chose to focus on the war in Ukraine

The Prime Minister's allies have warned that the Russian invasion is a reason why the leader should not be changed. Mr Johnson highlighted the UK's supply of rocket artillery systems to Ukraine.

"We cannot stand by while Russian long-range artillery flattens cities and kills innocent civilians," he said.

"The UK will gift the Ukrainian armed forces multiple-launch rocket systems so they can effectively repel the continuing Russian onslaught."

10:00 , Thomas Kingsley

Sir Keir Starmer said the public mood has changed with a "general sense that this man doesn't really tell the truth".

Speaking to LBC about the upcoming confidence vote in Boris Johnson by Tory MPs, Sir Keir said: "I think the mood has changed.

"I think the public have made their mind up about this man. They don't think he's really telling the truth about many, many things - not just partygate - but just the general sense that this man doesn't really tell the truth, (he) can't be trusted.

The Labour leader also said: "We've got a prime minister trying to cling on to his job and most people would say 'your job is to help me through the cost-of-living crisis and you're not doing it because you're distracted'."

Sir Keir said that even if Mr Johnson wins, "I think history tells us that this is the beginning of the end.

"If you look at the previous examples of no confidence votes, even when Conservative Prime Ministers survived those, he might survive it tonight, the damage is already done and usually they fall reasonably swiftly afterwards."

Partygate not the only issue - Jesse Norman MP says

09:45 , Thomas Kingsley

Jesse Norman MP has been speaking after withdrawing his support for Boris Johnson.

The former minister told BBC Radio 4's Today programme there is a "clear picture of a much wider set of concerns" that go beyond the Partygate scandal.

The MP for Hereford and South Herefordshire says it extends to "core policy issues" like the government's plan to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda, and the "potential breach" of the Northern Ireland protocol of the Brexit deal.

There is, he adds, "deep concern" about the way in which policy is being handled, with the creation of "dividing lines and cultural war and poilitical disagreement" when "unifying" and "positive" leadership is needed.

Norman says another "question" is over what he calls the "gradual centralisation of power" in No 10, adding that Johnson is not a president. and it would be a "very serious mistake" to treat him as one.

Boris Johnson will address Tory MPs ahead of no-confidence vote

09:44 , Thomas Kingsley

Boris Johnson will address Tory MPs later on Monday as he fights to save his premiership.

The Prime Minister will speak to the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers ahead of Monday evening’s confidence vote. It comes as a single page memo has been distributed to Tory MPs calling on them to avoid a “divisive and hurtful” leadership contest that will “only benefit Keir Starmer.”

More ministers back Boris Johnon

09:35 , Thomas Kingsley

Communities Secretary Michael Gove voiced his support for the Prime Minister, tweeting: "I'll be voting for Boris this evening. The PM got the big decisions right on Brexit and Covid.

"We need to focus now on defending Ukraine, driving levelling-up and generating growth. We need to move past this moment and unite behind Boris to meet these challenges."

Conservative Party chair Oliver Dowden tweeted: "I will be voting for Boris Johnson in the confidence vote tonight.

"He's demonstrated real leadership in getting the big calls right as PM - Brexit, vaccines, reopening and Ukraine.

"I hope after this vote we can come together and focus on the future. Let's face the big challenges united and focused on delivery."

NEW: Rishi Sunak announces he is backing the prime minister

09:28 , Thomas Kingsley

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has declared his support for Boris Johnson in tonight’s no-confidence vote.

Writing on Twitter, Mr Sunak said: “From the vaccine rollout to our response to Russian aggression, the PM has shown the strong leadership our country needs.

“I am backing him today and will continue to back him as we focus on growing the economy, tackling the cost of living and clearing the Covid backlogs.”

‘This is the beginning of the end,’ Keir Starmer says

09:25 , Thomas Kingsley

Keir Starmer tells LBC that Conservative MPs should "show some leadership and vote against the prime minister — he’s lost the trust of the country".

"Stand up and get rid of him," he adds.

"This is the beginning of the end," for Boris Johnson.

Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner last week received questionnaires from Durham Police in their investigation into alleged Covid rule breaking. Mr Starmer said he would resign if he was fined in the probe.

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website