Boris Johnson will face a no confidence vote if 24 more Tory MPs back the move, it has been reported.
The Prime Minister is facing a huge backlash over revelations he and his Downing Street staff threw parties during the coronavirus lockdown.
It was revealed last night that two separate leaving dos took place at Number 10 on the night before the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral.
Johnson’s future is under threat and the mechanism to force him out lies with his own MPs.
If 54 Tory members send in letters of no confidence to the backbench 1922 committee, a vote on the PM would take place.
According to the Daily Telegraph, 30 letters have been sent so far.
MPs who have gone on the record calling on Johnson to quit include Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross.
Johnson's political fate is believed to be in the hands of civil servant Sue Gray, who is investigating the parties that were held.
A Tory source said more MPs are expected to send in letters if a negative judgement is delivered by Gray.
Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale, who has also called on Johnson to quit, has described parties in Downing Street during periods when coronavirus restrictions were in place as “wholly unacceptable”.
He told Sky News: “I think the events that took place on that evening (in April 2021) were wholly unacceptable and completely insensitive, and should never have happened.
“That said, I don’t hold the Prime Minister personally responsible, because he was not there, but it does reveal, I think, a culture within Downing Street that obviously stems from the top and should not be permitted.”
He added: “It is just another event in a chapter of incidents which should not have happened.
“I do think that minds are now, over this weekend, being focused upon the need to take the necessary action.
“I clearly don’t know, and I shouldn’t know, how many of my colleagues have put in letters – I’m not canvassing them or seeking support for what I have done myself – but I believe that there is some momentum which is growing.”
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