‘Write him off at your peril’

in which he was removed. Reports yesterday said this could even include moves to hold a vote of confidence in Rishi Sunak by Conservative Party members this year.

Allies deny actively seeking to restore Mr Johnson but insisted a comeback could not be ruled out.

Farming minister Mark Spencer said: ‘You write Boris Johnson off at your peril.’

Former Cabinet minister and fierce loyalist Nadine Dorries told The Mail On Sunday that the party would ‘die’ without his return as leader.