Following his win of the Rwanda Bill last night, Rishi Sunak has denied rumours that more letters have been received from Tory MPs requesting a vote of confidence in his leadership.
However, it is thought that several letters have been sent to Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 Committee, as a result of the simmering resentment felt by certain right-wing Tory MPs over what they see to be a betrayal with a Bill that will not succeed in starting the expulsion of illegal migrants.
Former education minister and Boris Johnson ally Dame Andrea Jenkyns said that the last count of letters asking for a leadership vote was 29 including hers.
She explained: “That means we just needed 20 about a fortnight ago and that will be less now.”
“The Prime Minister may have won the vote last night, but there is disharmony on the backbenchers and I am hearing in the cabinet too.
“How long are MP’s going to sit on their hands before they act. How many more votes are we going to hemorrhage? I urge colleague to submit their vote of no confidence letters, we are heading to a General Election this year, let’s choose a Conservative leader who can connect to the public.”
Another source close to the rebels said: “Given how both No10 and the whips office behaved in the run-up to third reading, it would come as no surprise that for some colleagues this was the straw that broke the camels back.
The Prime Minister said he would do whatever it takes to stop the boats, yet, he has ploughed through with a Bill which he knows is utterly ineffectual, just to try and save his premiership.
However, other Tory MPs on the right said they are now “in wait-and-see mode”.