No 10 launches emergency plan to stop Boris Johnson if he quits and tries to launch a leadership challenge
Tory whips are calling MPs to find out if they would end up supporting Boris
DOWNING Street officials are drawing up an emergency plan in case Boris Johnson flounces out of the Cabinet, it emerged today.
Number 10 has reportedly been contacting Tory MPs trying to stop them supporting Boris if he launches a leadership power grab.
But the Government’s whips have apparently been reassured that the Foreign Secretary does not have enough allies on board to overthrow Theresa May.
Mr Johnson sparked speculation of a leadership bid when he published a 4,000-word article on his vision for Brexit just a week before the PM made a major speech in Florence.
He was reportedly on the verge of quitting his job last week, before drawing back from the brink when Mrs May committed to a transition period lasting no more than two years.
that Tory whips are now contacting MPs to check if they might support a challenge by Boris.
But both pro- and anti-EU Conservatives are said to oppose Boris after his intervention in the Brexit debate.
Brexit supporters apparently fear that the Foreign Secretary is destabilising the Government - making it more likely that Jeremy Corbyn will win power.
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One source : “No one is going to back Boris if Jeremy Corbyn is strengthened by his nonsense.
“There is not going to be an imminent leadership bid from Boris, the support isn’t there.”
Mrs May faced a fresh challenge to her authority yesterday when Philip Hammond refused to say that he wanted her to fight another election as leader.