Kemi Badenoch has told Tory rebels to “stop messing around and get behind the Prime Minister” amid speculation about a challenge to Rishi Sunak’s leadership.
The Business and Trade Secretary said any Tory MPs plotting against Mr Sunak were being “self indulgent” at a time when the Conservatives should be focused on local elections on May 2.
Asked for her message to the rebels, she told LBC Radio: “I have said many times that people need to stop messing around and get behind the Prime Minister.
“But I think at this particular time it is really important that we remember that there are thousands of councillors all around the country who are going to be standing for election in May. We need people to focus on what they have been doing to help their local communities and not be obsessed with Westminster psychodrama.
“So it is actually important that we help demonstrate, especially for those Conservative councillors who I want to see reelected, what the Government has been doing.”
It came after The Times quoted a “senior ally” of Mr Sunak as saying that the premier would be prepared to call a general election if rebels tried to trigger a formal leadership contest.
You can follow the latest updates below and join the conversation in the comments section here.