Boris Johnson’s position is still uncertain

Since the publication of Sue Gray’s update on partygate a trickle of letters of no confidence have been sent to the 1922 chairman Graham Brady. Two of the senders have gone public – Tobias Elwood and Peter Aldous – while Charles Walker has said he would ‘applaud’ Boris Johnson if he resigned of his own accord.

It’s worth noting that Aldous said one of the reasons he had submitted a letter of no confidence is that it became clear Boris Johnson has no intention of resigning. One MP who has submitted a letter tells Coffee House they are frustrated that many colleagues who want Johnson gone still appear to be expecting it to happen of its own accord: ‘There is never a good time to get rid of a leader’. MPs expect a handful more letters to go in as the week progresses.

On Monday night, Johnson calmed Tory nerves slightly at a private meeting with MPs following a shaky performance in the Chamber.