Boris Johnson wins vote of confidence after MPs vote on his future

Guildford MP Angela Richardson said she would vote against Boris Johnson on Monday.

“From the very beginning of the issues surrounding the Prime Minister’s conduct during the lockdown period and his subsequent answers to parliamentary questions, I have been consistent in my views about the standards people expect of those in high office,” she said.

“Last week, I made a statement following the publication of the full Sue Gray report that questioned whether those standards had been upheld.

“The deep disappointment I expressed in a previous statement in January has not abated.

“Given that, I will be voting no confidence in Boris Johnson this evening.”

Jacob Rees-Mogg said people booing the Prime Minister outside St Paul’s Cathedral during the Jubilee weekend was “muted noise” and a “mere bagatelle” – meaning something of little importance.

Speaking to Sky News, the Brexit opportunities minister said it was “a mere bagatelle, a little bit of booing, a little bit of cheering – that is perfectly normal.”

Pressed by host Kay Burley over the fact that the PM was booed during such a significant national event, Mr Rees-Mogg said: “I think you over-interpret what happened. Political figures must expect this.”

“Politicians who do things, politicians who achieve things, politicians who lead the country well, obviously stir up strong emotions in certain sections of the population. That is what you would expect and I think that the sort of piety that they were on the steps of St Paul’s is not really reflective of modern British society,” he added.

After being played a clip of the incident, he accused Sky News of turning up the volume, saying: “Turning the volume up to get your readers to be too concerned about that – that was a bit miserable really.”

Questioned about how reports that some Tory MPs deemed the incident a “turning point” in their opinion on Mr Johnson, Mr Rees-Mogg said: “I think that anybody who is influenced by some muted noise that rather excited a few journalists would not be showing the judgment and wisdom that you would expect of a Conservative member of Parliament.”

Jeremy Hunt, former health secretary under David Cameron, who competed with Boris Johnson for Conservative leadership in 209, has made an intervention.

The pound rallied against the US dollar and the euro after it was announced that the vote of confidence in Boris Johnson would go ahead.

Sterling rose 0.6% to 1.26 US dollars and 0.4% to 1.17 euros.

Victoria Scholar, head of investment at interactive investor, said: “The pound will be closely watched this evening, with above average volatility expected around tonight’s decision.

“If Johnson loses, sterling, which in part signals international investor confidence in the UK, could get a boost and reverse some of the recent negativity.”

In his first public statement since the confidence vote was announced, Boris Johnson chose to focus on the war in Ukraine.

The Prime Minister’s allies have warned that the Russian invasion is a reason why the leader should not be changed.

Mr Johnson highlighted the UK’s supply of rocket artillery systems to Ukraine.

“We cannot stand by while Russian long-range artillery flattens cities and kills innocent civilians,” he said.

“The UK will gift the Ukrainian armed forces multiple-launch rocket systems so they can effectively repel the continuing Russian onslaught.”

Penny Mordaunt, Portsmouth North MP, is one of the names regularly featured on lists of potential replacements for the current Prime Minister.

While Tory MPs and ministers publicly backed Boris Johnson, trade minister Penny Mordaunt said she would be in her constituency attending a D-Day commemoration service.

Ms Mordaunt, viewed as a potential leadership contender in any race to succeed Mr Johnson, tweeted: “Today I will be attending Portsmouth’s commemoration service to remember the efforts and sacrifice of #DDay.”

He needs to get at least 180 votes from MPs to remain as PM.

Boris Johnson will address Tory MPs later on Monday as he fights to save his premiership.

The Prime Minister will speak to the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers ahead of Monday evening’s confidence vote.