Aaron Bell becomes latest Tory MP to submit letter of no confidence in Boris Johnson

Conservative MP Aaron Bell has said he has submitted a letter of no confidence in Boris Johnson, saying the Prime Minister’s position is “untenable” over the “breach of trust” of partygate.

Mr Bell, who was elected in Newcastle-under-Lyme in 2019, said “the breach of trust that the events in No 10 Downing Street represent, and the manner in which they have been handled, makes his position untenable”.

In a statement, he said: “The breach of trust that events in No 10 Downing Street represent, and the manner in which they have been handled, makes his position untenable.”

In an emotional intervention in the Commons on Monday following the publication of the Sue Gray report into lockdown parties, Mr Bell asked Mr Johnson if he thought he was a “fool” for following Covid restrictions at his grandmother’s funeral.

Other Tory MPs are expected to consider over the weekend whether to write to the chairman of the 1922 Committee Sir Graham Brady in an attempt to force a leadership contest.

In an apparent move to head off further dissent, Mr Johnson has written to Tory MPs promising them a greater role in policy-making with a “direct line” into No 10.

The latest turmoil was triggered by the shock resignation on Thursday of Mr Johnson’s long-standing policy chief Munira Mirza over his refusal to withdraw his “scurrilous” accusation about Sir Keir.