Look out ..they’re behind you!
Cabinet claim they are backing PM as pressure grows over MPs’ revolt
RUMOURS of a coup to oust embattled Theresa May continued to swirl around the PM last night – despite her insistence she has the “full support” of her Cabinet.
The Prime Minister desperately tried to brush off mounting speculation over her future, saying: “Now, what the country needs is calm leadership and that’s exactly what I am providing, with the full support of my Cabinet.”
But Mrs May faces unprecedented challenges to her leadership following her disastrous party conference speech – with up to five ex-Cabinet ministers said to be plotting to topple her.
The PM suffered excruciating coughing fits, was handed a P45 by a prankster and left helpless as letters from the rally slogan fell from the backdrop during her address in Manchester on Wednesday.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove tried to defend Mrs May, claiming she was doing a “fantastic job”. The “overwhelming majority” of Tory MPs, including the “entirety” of the Cabinet, wanted her to carry on, he claimed.
He said: “She showed an amazing degree of resilience and courage this week, of a piece with the fantastic leadership she has shown through the time she has been Prime Mini ster.” After 48 hours recovering in her Maidenhead constituency, she broke cover yesterday to attend a coffee morning in Reading.
But the deepening uncertainty over Mrs May’s future unleashed a fresh bout of Tory infighting. Chief plotter and former party chairman Grant Shapps claimed 30 MPs wanted her out.
He said: “A growing number of my colleagues realise the solution isn’t to bury our heads in the sand and hope things will get better.”
But MPs sought to slap him down. Accusing Mr Shapps of “sniping from the sidelines”, Nigel Evans warned: “It’s just providing ammunition for Jeremy Corbyn.”
And Charles Walker said: “No10 must be delighted to learn it is Grant Shapps leading this alleged coup.
“Grant has many talents, but the one thing he doesn’t have is a following in the party. I think this is now just going to fizzle out.”
Mr Gove’s role as a peacemaker comes 16 months after he knifed Boris Johnson over the Tory leadership following Brexit. Mr Johnson was just hours from launching his bid for No10 when Mr Gove withdrew his support to stand himself, causing Mr Johnson to retire.
The PM suffered another blow last night when a trade trip to China was cancelled because Donald Trump has been given preference by Beijing.