Boris Johnson has survived a vote of confidence in his leadership following a ballot amongst Conservative MPs.
The Prime Minister received the backing of 211 MPs, compared to 148 who wanted him out of office.
Ahead of the vote Johnson wrote to Tory MPs and addressed them at a private meeting in Westminster two hours before voting began.
He reminded Conservatives that “under my leadership” the party had won its biggest electoral victory in 40 years.
He warned that Tory splits risked the “utter disaster” of Sir Keir Starmer ‘s Labour entering Downing Street, propped up by the SNP.
Tory MPs will have to wait a year until they can force another confidence vote in the Prime Minister, according to 1922 Committee rules.
Earlier in the day Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross performed another u-turn, this time calling for the PM to quit ahead of the vote.
In a statement, he said: “I have heard loud and clear the anger at the breaking of Covid rules that we all did our best to follow, and even more so at the statements to Parliament from the Prime Minister on this topic.
“Having listened closely to people in Moray who re-elected me to represent them, and from many people across Scotland, now that this confidence vote is upon us, I cannot in good faith support Boris Johnson.”
Four of the six Scottish Conservative MPs publicly said they voted against the Prime Minister in the ballot.
Andrew Bowie, John Lamont and David Mundell joined Ross in casting a ballot against Johnson.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack came out in support of the PM ahead of the vote earlier today.
To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.
Keep up to date with all the latest stories from Peter Davidson.
As the Live Politics Editor at the Daily Record he covers politics in Holyrood, Westminster and local councils.
Give him a follow if you want to keep up to date with what’s going on in the political world.
To follow Peter, click here.
