Tory leadership contenders begin manoeuvres on replacing Boris Johnson

The Inews reported that UK MPs said, Tory leadership contenders have begun manoeuvres on replacing Boris Johnson if the Prime Minister’s position becomes untenable amid the Downing Street Christmas party scandal.

Backbenchers’ conversations around who could replace Mr Johnson have intensified since the leak of a video showing No 10 staffers joking about a lockdown-breaching Christmas party last December.

Supporters of Rishi Sunak are said to have been canvassing support for the Chancellor “if things fall down” following the leak.

Tory backbenchers told i that Liz Truss, the other frontrunner, has also been quietly wooing MPs on the sidelines in a bid to bolster her position in the event of a leadership tilt.

It came as the terms of reference for the inquiry by Cabinet Secretary Simon Case confirmed it would be expanded to cover allegations about three Government parties alleged to have broken lockdown restrictions in 2020.

UK-London-Footbridge/Pixabay

Several more Tories broke cover on Thursday to openly criticise the Government on Thursday, with Brexiteer Philip Hollobone suggesting the Downing Street parties were “totally inappropriate and possibly criminal”.

One MP said there are “conversations forming” on Mr Johnson’s leadership after a dire six weeks.

They said: “Backbenchers think it’s recoverable but if it goes on more than six months then it’s difficult."

“One of the PPSs (Parliamentary Private Secretary) – not one of Rishi’s, he’s smarter than that – has been going around canvassing support for him, asking: would you support Rishi if things fall down.”

Meanwhile, another MP said Ms Truss, the Foreign Secretary, had been holding “drinks parties” with backbenchers in an effort to build her support base.

Liz Truss-Foreign Ministe/Foreign Commonwealth and Development official Facebook page

A third Tory added: “Truss is definitely trying to build up support. She has been having regular dinners with backbenchers.”

Responding to the claims about supporters of Mr Sunak, an ally of the Chancellor said it was “the first I’ve heard”.

A spokesman for Ms Truss insisted she is not “canvassing people on the leadership”.

He said: “It’s total and utter rubbish."

“She’s been Foreign Secretary for less than 12 weeks and is focused on getting on with the job.

“She meets MPs regularly to discuss foreign policy, and previously trade policy.”

Mr Case will investigate claims of a staffer’s leaving party in No 10 on 27 November 2020 at which the PM is alleged to have made a speech, a drinks and canapes gathering at the Department for Education on 10 December, and the alleged Christmas party at No 10 on 18 December.

The two December dates coincide with when mixing between households in London was restricted, with England in a month-long lockdown during November.

But some claims, including that there was a party in Mr Johnson and his wife Carrie’s No 11 flat on 13 November – the night Dominic Cummings left the Government, are not currently included in the scope of the review, but could be added at a later date.

Source: inews