CONSERVATIVE leadership hopefuls are reportedly circling in case Boris Johnson has to step down amid the ongoing Number 10 Christmas parties row.
The Prime Minister was under further pressure on Friday morning after fresh claims emerged over an alleged party in Number 10 on December 18, 2020.
ITV News reported that Jack Doyle, who was then deputy director of communications at No 10, addressed up to 50 people at a Christmas gathering said to have been held on that date.
It is understood that Doyle spoke to the press office to thank them for their work, as he did every week, and presented some awards to mark the team’s efforts.
Downing Street refused to comment further than to say a fact-finding review was ongoing.
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Separately, Johnson is facing questions over whether he misled an investigation into donations for refurbishments to his Downing Street flat after the Electoral Commission fined the Tories £17,800.
Plus Johnson faces the prospect of a growing rebellion over new Covid rules to curb the spread of the Omicron variant, as reports suggest more than 30 MPs may vote against the Government next week.
Speaking to The I, Conservative backbenchers claimed there are “conversations forming” over who could replace Johnson.
Supporters of Chancellor Rishi Sunak are reportedly canvassing support for him in case “things fall down”.
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One source told the publication: “Backbenchers think it’s recoverable but if it goes on more than six months then it’s difficult.
“One of the PPSs (parliamentary private secretary) – not one of Rishi’s, he’s smarter than that – has been going around canvassing support for him, asking: would you support Rishi if things fall down.”
And other MPs said Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is trying to boost her own position in the case of a leadership contest. One said Truss is having “drinks parties” with backbench Tories to help build her support, while another added: “Truss is definitely trying to build up support. She has been having regular dinners with backbenchers.”
But one ally of Sunak said it was “the first I’ve heard” about the claims, and a spokesperson for Truss described the report as “total and utter rubbish”.
“She’s been Foreign Secretary for less than 12 weeks and is focused on getting on with the job,” he insisted.
“She meets MPs regularly to discuss foreign policy, and previously trade policy.”
Johnson announced on Wednesday that an internal investigation led by Cabinet Secretary Simon Case would look into reports of a staff gathering held in Downing Street just days before Christmas, when London was under Tier 3 restrictions.
The probe was subsequently widened to include another festive celebration and a reported staff leaving do.
Alongside the alleged December 18 party, Case will include in his review a confirmed gathering at the Department for Education’s (DfE) Whitehall headquarters on December 10 last year, and a reported leaving event for a No 10 aide – allegedly attended by Boris Johnson – on November 27.
And the terms of reference for the investigation, published on Thursday afternoon, said “where there are credible allegations relating to other gatherings, these may be investigated”.
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