Defiant Boris Johnson refuses to resign despite Cabinet calls for him to quit amid mass resignations

A defiant Boris Johnson has tonight rejected calls from Cabinet colleagues to quit. According to reports, the Prime Minister told his top ministers that he was prepared to fight another confidence vote in his leadership - a vote the Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, reportedly told him in person he was unlikely to win.

On a turbulent day inside Downing Street - which has seen seventeen ministers, a line of ministerial aides resign inside 24 hours and the sacking of Michael Gove - a delegation of Cabinet ministers met Mr Johnson at No 10 to urge him to resign, as he haemorrhaged support across the Tory ranks.

There was also a 'pretty strong view' across the powerful 1922 Committee of backbench Tory MPs that the PM should go, one Conservative MP said. Speaking to the PA news agency, David Simmonds, who represents the Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner constituency, said the Prime Minister should go as the 'message has been very clear from colleagues'.

On the 1922 Committee meeting, Mr Simmonds said: "There were a couple of people who would agree with that (that he should not go). Well, there was one person I can think of, but other than that, no, I think it was a pretty strong view across the piece."

Home Secretary Priti Patel, one of his staunchest allies, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis and Welsh Secretary Simon Hart were among the Cabinet ministers telling Mr Johnson to stand down. It's understood Ms Patel spoke to the Prime Minister to convey the “overwhelming view” of the parliamentary party.

Mr Shapps is also thought to have told Mr Johnson that he stood little chance of winning another confidence vote and should instead set out a timetable