Speaking to Mr Johnson in Downing Street on Wednesday afternoon, the home secretary relayed the overwhelming view of the Tory parliamentary party that his time in No 10 was over. Although a long-time loyalist to the prime minister, Ms Patel joined several cabinet colleagues who gathered in Downing Street to tell Johnson she could not continue. Other ministers in attendance included Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, Chris Heaton Harris, the chief whip, Simon Hart, the Welsh secretary, and Nadhim Zahawi, who Mr Johnson appointed chancellor on Tuesday after Rishi resigned Sunak. The Independent understands ministers went to meet the prime minister one-on-one to air their views, with the home secretary telling him he had lost the support of his MPs. Mr Johnson appointed Ms Patel as home secretary on his first day in office and she has remained in the post ever since. The couple has maintained an image of unity and avoided public fights. The prime minister sided with Ms Patel after a Cabinet inquiry found she had bullied staff, prompting his ethics adviser to resign in protest after Mr Johnson dismissed the inquiry’s findings. Patel has been at Johnson’s side since day one (AFP/Getty) Even after losing the support of one of his most loyal ministers, Mr Johnson was seen as insisting on staying put. A senior ally of the prime minister told the Independent that Johnson refused to resign when he spoke to members of his team. Before the Liaison Committee earlier, the prime minister suggested it would be irresponsible to leave while the war raged in Ukraine. But with his authorization, the question of Mr Johnson’s departure will not go away and he could face another party-line vote on his leadership next week. Under current 1922 Conservative Committee rules, the prime minister cannot mount another challenge within a year of his narrow victory last month. However, the rules could be struck down if the group’s executive accepts a shorter waiting period when a new executive is elected on Monday. Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the committee, is believed to have visited Downing Street on Wednesday to communicate the views of supporters, after a meeting in parliament dominated by MPs calling for Johnson to go. Mr Johnson’s supporters also visited No 10 on Wednesday. Nadine Dorries, the culture minister, said she and other cabinet ministers still supported the prime minister. Jacob Rees Mogg also pledged his support, as did Dominic Raab, the Deputy Prime Minister, who defended Mr Johnson at the 1922 Commission meeting. Mr Johnson’s leadership was left spinning down the drain after mass resignations in response to his handling of sexual harassment claims against an MP he appointed deputy leader. The fuse was lit by Sajid Javid and Rishi Sunak, who resigned as health secretary and chancellor, respectively, within minutes of each other on Tuesday afternoon, followed the next day by at least 35 ministers, private secretaries and trade envoys.
