Bumbling Boris Johnson forgot to wear his mask tonight after begging Tory MPs to back his Covid Plan B in a crammed-full room.
The Prime Minister patted himself down, saying "where's my mask, my mask, my mask" before running back into the Commons room as MPs left en masse.
He told MPs at the meeting “we have absolutely no choice”, and described his plans to impose Covid passes on venues - which prompted a revolt tonight - as “balanced and propionate”.
He went on to say he wants the country to be as “free as we possibly can” before adding there would be "no closure of hospitality".
But it's thought he stopped short of an outright guarantee after No10 repeatedly refused to rule out further restrictions before Christmas.
Everyone on the Parliamentary estate is required to wear a face covering, unless they are exempt, under guidance.
Minutes later, the PM left the Commons Committee room 14 wearing a white mask.
One former minister said his speech "calmed a lot of nerves", with the Prime Minister stressing that he had been reluctant to impose new measures but the situation was serious.
The rapid spread of Omicron was also a factor in winning over some Tories, the source said.
The former minister said: "What a lot of people are starting to see is how it is affecting their own constituencies and own families.
"It's not a theoretical thing, it's become a real thing."
MPs banged on desks as the PM arrived at the 1922 Committee meeting, which started an hour before MPs were due to vote on the divisive measures.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss arrived with a large number of aides surrounding her, shortly after James Cleverly, and Amanda Milling walked in with anxious smiles.
It comes as Mr Johnson faces the biggest rebellion of his leadership as Tory backbenchers are frustrated with his plan B measures and his handling of Christmas party-gate.
Leaving the committee room, another senior Tory MP said "it is not easy as it is one of the most difficult decisions I've made as an MP".
He added: "I have always been a rebel. But [these measures] are the right way to go about it. It's a two pronged approach, the plan B measures and the booster campaign".
In particular, Tories are furious over the introduction of Covid passes.
The PM faced a massive revolt in the Commons over Covid passes for large venues.
