Watch the extraordinary moment news of Boris Johnson confidence vote was broken on LBC

6 June 2022, 16:16

Sir Roger Gale confirms confidence vote

By James Bickerton

Boris Johnson will face a confidence vote in his leadership of the Conservative Party this evening.

The Prime Minister's position is under threat after more than 15% of Tory MPs wrote to Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee, requesting a contest.

Sir Roger Gale, a longstanding critic of Mr Johnson's leadership, broke the news on LBC this morning.

Speaking to Nick Ferrari, in a historic moment, he read out the press release he'd just received from Sir Graham.

It said: "The threshold of 15% of the parliamentary party seeking a vote of confidence in the leader of the Conservative Party has been exceeded.

"In accordance with the rules a ballot will be held between 18:00 and 20:00 today, Monday 6 June, details to be confirmed."

READ MORE: Boris's plea 'to move on’ as he bids for Tory support ahead of crunch leadership vote

Tory voter urges party to oust Boris Johnson

Mr Johnson has made it clear he will fight for his position, and a number of loyal Ministers have come out in his defence.

Sir Roger said he'd first submitted a no-confidence letter after the Barnard Castle scandal in 2020, and continues to believe the Prime Minister should be pushed out.

He explained: "I think the time has come when we have to say the party is divided.

"Mr Johnson said himself divided party's don't win elections.

"We have a Conservative manifesto we want to see through and deliver - we have to have a new leader to take us through that."

READ MORE: Tory infighting erupts as Nadine Dorries attacks 'duplicitous' Jeremy Hunt