Boris insists 'of course' he'll still be PM tomorrow amid wave of Tory resignations

6 July 2022, 16:15 | Updated: 7 July 2022, 07:42

• Johnson’s government hit by over 30 resignations in less than 24-hours
• Newly appointed Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi says he still 'trusts' PM on LBC
• PM’s leadership rocked by series of resignations last night
• Michael Gove 'tells Boris Johnson to resign'
• No10 indicates PM determined to continue in office

MP Angus MacNeil questions PM over resignations

Boris Johnson insisted "of course" he will still be Prime Minister tomorrow when grilled by MPs on his crumbling leadership position.

Mr Johnson, appearing before the Parliamentary Liaison Committee on Wednesday, said "of course" he will still be leading the country tomorrow despite a wave of Tory MP resignations.

He was asked by MP Angus MacNeil "will you be Prime Minister tomorrow?", to which he replied: "Of course, Mc MacNeil. I am here, rather than giving any running commentary on my own career, I'm here to talk about what the Government is doing."

And after minutes of pressure from members of the Liaison Committee, Mr Johnson suggested he could trigger a General Election if his MPs are "so crazy" as to not respect the "substantial mandate" given to him by the electorate in 2019.

However, Mr Johnson has since denied that he will call for a General Election.

Read more: The end game? Cabinet descend on Downing St to tell Boris to go

Read more: Full list of Tory MPs who have quit Boris Johnson's govt in less than 24 hours

Asked whether there were any conditions under which the Queen could decline the Prime Minister's request for a dissolution of Parliament, Mr Johnson said: "You're asking about something that's not going to happen, unless everybody is so crazy as to... you know...

"We are going to get on - I don't think the people of this country...

"I think history teaches us that the best way to have a period of stability in government and not to have early elections is to allow people with mandates to get on."

Boris Johnson hints he could trigger GE if MPs don't respect him

Mr Johnson faces increasing pressure to step down as PM following his grovelling apology for appointing former deputy chief whip Chris Pincher - who has still not resigned as MP.

He appeared before the parliamentary liaison committee on Wednesday where he was questioned on his leadership and his knowledge of groping allegations against the former deputy chief whip.

Read more: Now Gove 'tells Boris Johnson to quit' as five Tories sign resignation letters at once

Read more: Full list of Tory MPs who have quit Boris Johnson's govt in less than 24 hours

PM grilled over knowledge of groping allegations against Pincher

Tory MP Huw Merriman even tweeted a letter of no-confidence in Boris Johnson while sat across from him in the committee meeting.

It comes as more than 30 Tory MPs resigned from Mr Johnson's government, calling on the PM to step down in the best interests of the country.

The mass exodus kicked off on Tuesday evening after Mr Johnson issued a grovelling apology to MPs, saying it was a "mistake" to have appointed Pincher following allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

The first to resign was Health Secretary Sajid Javid, followed closely by Chancellor Rishi Sunak - two senior members of Mr Johnson's Cabinet.

Mr Javid, in his resignation speech in the Commons on Wednesday, said "enough is enough".

A number of ministers followed suit, including education minister Will Quince, who was sent out on TV to defend the PM on Monday.

In his resignation letter he said Downing Street briefings "have now been found to be inaccurate".

See a full list of those who resigned here.