Brandon Lewis quits Cabinet as Boris Johnson tells allies he will stay put in No 10 showdown

Boris Johnson has shrugged off calls from Cabinet ministers to resign.

Despite nearly 40 resignations from his Government and clamour from his own allies for him to step aside, Mr Johnson indicated on Wednesday evening that he intends to stay put.

Mr Johnson and new Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi are set to launch a new economic plan on Thursday in a bid to seize back the political agenda, Sky News reports.

Boris Johnson’s parliamentary private secretary James Duddridge told Sky the PM is in a “buoyant mood and will fight on”.

He said: “I expect him to make senior cabinet appointments this evening and am looking forward to hearing what the PM and his fantastic Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi have to say tomorrow.”

The delegation of ministers delivering an ultimatum to the Prime Minister on Wednesday was understood to include Mr Zahawi and Michelle Donelan, who were promoted to their positions as Chancellor and Education Secretary on Tuesday.

Ultra-loyalists including Grant Shapps, Priti Patel and Simon Hart also went to No 10 to speak with Mr Johnson. Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has separately told the Chief Whip that the Prime Minister’s time is up.

His refusal to quit could pave the way for even more possible resignations, and sets the stage for a potential no-confidence battle next week, as the 1922 Committee looks poised to rewrite the party’s rulebook.

It leaves the Government half-functioning until then, with dozens of ministerial posts unfilled.

Asked, as she left Downing Street, if she is still supporting the Prime Minister, Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: “Definitely”.

Also asked if others are backing him, Ms Dorries replied: “Oh yes”.